On April 28, 2002, a Cessna 172S (registration N786SP) was involved in an aviation accident near Daytona Beach, FL. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: the pilot misjudged the landing flare, resulting in a hard landing, and damage to the airplane. 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.
During landing, the airplane bounced three to four times on the nose after a hard main gear touchdown. At the runway end, the pilot had no elevator control. Examination revealed elevators stuck down due to impact damage jamming the control column.
Incident Details
According to the pilot's account, the landing flare was followed by a firm touchdown on the main landing gear. The airplane then bounced three to four times on the nose landing gear. After reaching the end of the runway, the pilot discovered that elevator control was absent.
Post-Event Inspection
An inspection of the control surfaces was conducted after the occurrence. The elevators were found fixed in the down position. The cause was impact damage that lodged the pilot-side control column inside the control yoke guide assembly. This binding prevented any fore-and-aft movement of the control column.
Aircraft Condition
No damage was detected on any control surface or on other parts of the cabin structure.
What happened in the 28 Apr 2002 Cessna 172S accident near Daytona Beach, FL?
During landing, the airplane bounced three to four times on the nose after a hard main gear touchdown. At the runway end, the pilot had no elevator control. Examination revealed elevators stuck down due to impact damage jamming the control column.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 28 Apr 2002 involved a Cessna 172S, registration N786SP, at Daytona Beach, FL.
What was the probable cause of the accident?
the pilot misjudged the landing flare, resulting in a hard landing, and damage to the airplane.
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