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Atlas / NTSB / ATL06CA116

NTSB CAROL · Event

Event ATL06CA116

2006-08-03 Augusta, Georgia, United States Airport · KAGS None 1 aircraft Status: Completed

Registry · N20965

FAA Aircraft Registry record.

Make / Model

CESSNA 172M

Year of manufacture

1974 · 32 years old at event

Engine

LYCOMING 0-320 SERIES (180 hp)

Seats / Engines

4 seats · 1 engine

Last airworthiness date

19740907

ADS-B equipped

Yes — Mode-S A1B6BA

Registrant of record

GARRISON JOHN B

Source: FAA Aircraft Registry (releasable master file).

Aircraft involved

Probable cause & findings

The pilot's improper flare on landing with excessive altitude resulting in a hard landing.

Factual narrative

On August 3, 2006, at 0830 eastern daylight time a Cessna 172M, N20965, registered to a private owner, operated by Mc Air Aviation Services Inc., as a 14 CFR Part 91 instructional flight, landed hard on runway 17 at Augusta Regional-Bush Field, Augusta, Georgia. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The airplane received substantial damage. The student pilot reported no injuries. The flight originated from Augusta, Georgia, on August 3, 2006, at 0825. A witness stated he observed the pilot depart from runway 17 and remained in left closed traffic. The airplane was observed to start a landing flare at 50 feet. The airplane made a hard landing. The student pilot stopped the airplane and completed an engine shutdown. The airplane was towed to the parking ramp. Examination of the airplane revealed the engine firewall and cockpit floor was buckled. The student pilot was observed to start his landing flare at 50 feet above the runway. The airplane made a hard landing. The student pilot stopped the airplane and completed an engine shutdown. The airplane was towed to the parking ramp. Examination of the airplane revealed the engine firewall and cockpit floor was buckled. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_2006_ATL06CA116.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.