Casualties unknown

Pilot Describes Bounce Landing and Grass Excursion (N2621U)

Bunnell, FL, US

On October 18, 2005, a Cessna 172R (registration N2621U) operated by Phoenix East Aviation Inc was involved in an aviation accident near Bunnell, FL. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's misjudged distance/speed, and his delayed braking during landing, which resulted in the airplane overrunning the runway and impacting a ditch. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 4 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-06-10Data APIEditorial standards

A pilot reported a bounce landing that resulted in the aircraft entering grass at the runway's end. The approach was flown at 70 knots with full flaps, and a flare was initiated at 50 feet.

Approach

During the approach, the pilot reported flying at 80 knots with 20 degrees of flaps on the base leg at an altitude of 600 feet. On final approach, the speed was reduced to 70 knots with an engine setting of 800 RPM and full flaps set to 30 degrees.

Landing and Aftermath

The pilot began reducing power to idle and initiated a flare at 50 feet. The initial touchdown was described as normal, but the aircraft then bounced once with considerable speed, touching down again near the middle of the runway. After the bounce, the pilot turned off the landing lights, set the transponder to standby, and kept flaps extended to assist with the rollout. As the aircraft approached the end of the runway, the pilot applied both brakes, then the right brake alone, causing the aircraft to veer and enter the grass.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20051103X01779. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.