NTSB CAROL · Event
Event ERA11CA333
Registry · N46643
FAA Aircraft Registry record.
Make / Model
CESSNA 172K
Year of manufacture
1968 · 43 years old at event
Engine
LYCOMING 0-320 SERIES (180 hp)
Seats / Engines
4 seats · 1 engine
Last airworthiness date
19680904
ADS-B equipped
Yes — Mode-S A5B2E5
Registrant of record
VOLUNTEER STATE AVIATION LLC
Source: FAA Aircraft Registry (releasable master file).
Aircraft involved
Probable cause & findings
The pilot's inadequate landing flare while landing with a gusting wind, which resulted in a hard landing.
Factual narrative
The pilot reported that the purpose of the flight was for his biennial flight review (BFR). During the approach to landing he utilized 20 degrees of flaps and side-slipped the airplane. However, while beginning the landing flare the airplane encountered a gust of wind and impacted the runway with all three landing gear. The pilot was able to taxi the airplane to the hangar, where he inspected the landing gear and noticed damage to the nose gear tire. According to the certificated flight instructor (CFI) the airplane landed "relatively flat." Subsequent inspections revealed substantial damage to the lower left portion of the firewall. The wind about the time of the accident was from 300 degrees at 10 knots with gusts to 19 knots, and was variable in direction from 270 degrees to 340 degrees. Both pilots reported that there was no preimpact mechanical malfunction. The pilot reported that the purpose of the flight was for his biennial flight review. During the approach to landing he used 20 degrees of flaps and side-slipped the airplane. However, while beginning the landing flare the airplane encountered a gust of wind and impacted the runway with all three landing gear. The pilot was able to taxi the airplane to the hangar, where he inspected the landing gear and noticed damage to the nose gear tire. According to the certified flight instructor the airplane landed relatively flat. Subsequent inspections revealed substantial damage to the lower left portion of the firewall. The wind about the time of the accident was from 300 degrees at 10 knots with gusts to 19 knots, and was variable in direction from 270 degrees to 340 degrees. Both pilots reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12
NTSB Findings
Hierarchical cause / factor breakdown from the FAA bulk avdata database. Each finding tagged C (Cause) or F (Factor).
- C Personnel issues-Action/decision-Action-Incorrect action performance-Pilot - C
- C Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Landing flare-Incorrect use/operation - C
- — Environmental issues-Conditions/weather/phenomena-Wind-Gusts-Effect on equipment
Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file
NTSB_2011_ERA11CA333.txt.
Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb.
Full investigation docket on
data.ntsb.gov ↗.
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