On February 16, 2004, a Cessna 177A (registration N30599) was involved in an aviation accident near Honolulu, HI. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: the pilot's misjudged landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing and porpoising down the runway. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
During an instrument landing system approach, the airplane experienced a left wind gust in the flare, leading to a hard touchdown and subsequent porpoising. No preimpact mechanical issues were reported.
Incident Overview
An airplane made a hard landing while attempting to execute an instrument landing system (ILS) approach. According to the pilot, during the landing flare, the airplane encountered a gust of wind from the left side. This caused the airplane to assume a nose-low attitude, resulting in a hard impact with the runway surface. The aircraft then porpoised.
Pilot Statement
The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane. No other details about the aircraft or crew were provided.
Weather Conditions
An aviation routine weather report (METAR) for Honolulu International Airport at 2053 indicated steady-state winds from 010 degrees at 10 knots and visibility of 10 statute miles. The report did not specify any gusts, but the pilot noted a gust of wind during the flare.