On April 23, 1993, a Cessna 172 (registration N734QF) operated by Cmh Aviation was involved in an aviation accident near Columbus, OH. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's improper flare during final approach, which resulted in a ballooning maneuver followed by a hard landing that damaged the nose gear and engine firewall. 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.
A pilot flared early during final approach, causing the aircraft to balloon before landing hard on all gear simultaneously, which drove up the nose gear and tore the engine firewall.
What happened
The accident occurred while the aircraft was on final approach for landing. The pilot initiated the flare too early in the descent profile, causing the airplane to balloon above the runway surface. As the aircraft settled back down, it impacted the ground hard with all three pieces of landing gear touching simultaneously.
This simultaneous impact forced the nose gear upward into the fuselage structure. The force of the collision tore through the engine firewall, resulting in significant structural damage to the forward section of the aircraft. Post-accident review of the pilot's flight log revealed that they had flown only one flight during the seven months preceding this incident, accumulating a total duration of just six-tenths of an hour.
The investigation
Examination of the wreckage confirmed the sequence of events described in the narrative. The damage pattern was consistent with a hard landing where the nose gear collapsed upward upon impact. The engine firewall exhibited tearing forces indicative of the nose gear being driven into it during the hard touchdown.
Probable cause
The pilot's improper flare during final approach, which resulted in a ballooning maneuver followed by a hard landing that damaged the nose gear and engine firewall.
What happened in the 23 Apr 1993 Cessna 172 accident near Columbus, OH?
A pilot flared early during final approach, causing the aircraft to balloon before landing hard on all gear simultaneously, which drove up the nose gear and tore the engine firewall.
Were there any fatalities in the 23 Apr 1993 Cessna 172 accident?
No fatalities were recorded in this accident.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 23 Apr 1993 involved a Cessna 172, registration N734QF, operated by Cmh Aviation, at Columbus, OH.
What was the probable cause of the accident?
The pilot's improper flare during final approach, which resulted in a ballooning maneuver followed by a hard landing that damaged the nose gear and engine firewall.
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