On January 2, 1997, a Cessna 172N (registration N1445E) operated by David R. Fitzpatrick was involved in an aviation accident near Anderson, SC. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain proper pitch control during landing, resulting in a hard touchdown and subsequent porpoising. 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 reported a hard landing followed by multiple bounces that caused the nose to drop and strike the runway, resulting in bent gear and firewall damage.
What happened
The pilot reported that the aircraft touched down with significant force, causing it to bounce. In response to the impact, the pilot released back pressure on the control yoke. This action caused the nose of the airplane to drop abruptly. The aircraft then porpoised three times before coming to a complete stop on the runway.
The investigation
Post-accident inspection revealed substantial damage to the airframe and landing gear components. The propeller struck the runway surface during the incident. Structural deformation was observed in the nose gear, which was found to be bent. Additionally, the firewall was bent, and the underside of the fuselage exhibited wrinkling.
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain proper pitch control during landing, resulting in a hard touchdown and subsequent porpoising.
What happened in the 2 Jan 1997 Cessna 172N accident near Anderson, SC?
A pilot reported a hard landing followed by multiple bounces that caused the nose to drop and strike the runway, resulting in bent gear and firewall damage.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 2 Jan 1997 involved a Cessna 172N, registration N1445E, operated by David R. Fitzpatrick, at Anderson, SC.
What was the probable cause of the accident?
The pilot's failure to maintain proper pitch control during landing, resulting in a hard touchdown and subsequent porpoising.
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