15 Oct 2019: Cessna 172 S — Cardinal Wings Aviation LLC

15 Oct 2019: Cessna 172 S — Cardinal Wings Aviation LLC

No fatalities • Louisville, KY, United States

Probable cause

The student pilot's improper landing flare, which resulted in a porpoised landing, a subsequent hard landing on grass left of the runway, and a nose-over. Contributing to the accident was the student’s self-imposed pressure to land the airplane

— NTSB Determination

Accident narrative

The solo student pilot reported that, during the traffic pattern to land, the flaps would not lower and he had to move the flap lever up and down several times to troubleshoot. On base, he realized that he was faster than normal. On final, he extended the flaps to 30°, but felt he was too high and fast. He reduced power to correct and over the threshold, a crosswind drifted the airplane to the left. He reduced power to idle and pushed the nose down "too quickly." The airplane porpoised and he attempted to pitch the nose up to decrease airspeed. He was then worried that the airplane would aerodynamically stall, so he pitched the nose down. The airplane landed hard in the grass left of the runway, the nose dug into the ground, and the airplane came to rest inverted.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing.

The student pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

The airport's automated weather observation station reported that, about 6 minutes after the accident, the wind was from 200° at 11 knots. The student pilot was landing the airplane on runway 15.

The student pilot reported that he should have added full power and performed a go around. He added that he felt pressured to land the airplane to "get out of everyone's way."

Contributing factors

  • cause Landing flare — Not attained/maintained
  • cause Student/instructed pilot
  • cause Effect on operation
  • cause Effect on operation
  • factor Student/instructed pilot

Conditions

Weather
VMC, wind 200/11kt, vis 10sm

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