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ERA12CA439

2012-06-17 · Frederick, Maryland, United States · None · 1 aircraft · Status: Completed

Airport FDK

Current FAA registration · N387AF

Make / Model
CESSNA 172S
Year of manufacture
2006 · 6 years old at event
Engine
LYCOMING IO-360-L2A (180 hp)
Seats / Engines
4 seats · 1 engine
Last airworthiness date
20061219
ADS-B equipped
Yes — Mode-S A47551

Source: FAA Aircraft Registry (releasable master file).

Aircraft involved

Probable cause & findings

The pilot's inadequate landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing.

Factual narrative

According to the pilot, his intent was to remain in the traffic pattern to practice takeoffs and landings on runway 23. During final approach he had trouble maintaining alignment with the runway centerline. He applied power to correct the drift; however, the airplane impacted the runway, left of centerline. The hard landing resulted in substantial damage to the firewall. The wind at the airport about the time of the accident was from 160 degrees at 9 knots. The pilot stated there were no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies with the airplane. According to the pilot, his intent was to remain in the traffic pattern to practice takeoffs and landings on runway 23. During final approach, he had trouble maintaining alignment with the runway centerline. He applied power to correct the drift; however, the airplane impacted the runway left of centerline. The hard landing resulted in substantial damage to the firewall. The wind at the airport about the time of the accident was from 160 degrees at 9 knots. The pilot stated that there were no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies with the airplane. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, 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

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_2012_ERA12CA439.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.

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