On May 27, 1983, a Cessna 172N (registration N738QD) was involved in an aviation accident near Pikeville, KY. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain control during landing, which resulted in a hard landing, bouncing, and subsequent loss of control leading to a runway departure. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 1 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
An aircraft executed a hard landing that resulted in multiple bounces onto the nose gear, followed by a loss of control and runway departure down an embankment.
What happened
The aircraft experienced a significant impact upon initial touchdown, resulting in a hard landing. Following this initial contact, the aircraft bounced back into the air before descending again. The pilot reported that the aircraft landed on its nose gear during this sequence. This event was repeated, with the aircraft bouncing and subsequently striking the runway surface on its nose gear for a second time.
Following the second impact on the nose gear, the aircraft lost directional control. It veered off the right side of the runway and proceeded to careen down an embankment. The sequence of events concluded with the aircraft leaving the paved surface and descending the slope.
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain control during landing, which resulted in a hard landing, bouncing, and subsequent loss of control leading to a runway departure.
What happened in the 27 May 1983 Cessna 172N accident near Pikeville, KY?
An aircraft executed a hard landing that resulted in multiple bounces onto the nose gear, followed by a loss of control and runway departure down an embankment.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 27 May 1983 involved a Cessna 172N, registration N738QD, at Pikeville, KY.
What was the probable cause of the accident?
The pilot's failure to maintain control during landing, which resulted in a hard landing, bouncing, and subsequent loss of control leading to a runway departure.
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