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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

September 30, 2004 · Cessna 172S · N802SP

Broomfield, CO

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 30, 2004
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Broomfield, CO
Aircraft
Cessna 172S
Tail Number
N802SP
Operator
Mcair Aviation
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
DEN04LA150

The pilot was a CFI candidate and his flight instructor was preparing him to take the flight instructor practical test. He was asked to demonstrate a short field landing. The airplane crossed the threshold at 65 KIAS (knots indicated airspeed) and was flared about 60-61 KIAS. The nose "suddenly pitched down" and the airplane struck the runway "hard." The pilot added full power, retracted the flaps to 20 degrees, and rejected the landing. The airplane vibrated as it climbed 300-400 feet per minute to pattern altitude. The flight instructor assumed control of the airplane, declared an emergency, and told control tower personnel that the elevator was jammed. The instructor used power to control altitude and flew a 2-mile final approach. The engine was secured just before touchdown, and a successful landing was made. Postaccident examination disclosed the propeller had struck the runway, and the nose wheel was crooked. The nose strut was pushed back into the firewall. The elevator and elevator trim, which had been set for landing, were also jammed. No evidence of a pre-existing failure of the elevator control was found.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot's improper flare, and the flight instructor's inadequate supervision of the pilot.

Full Narrative

On September 30, 2004, approximately 1445 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 172S, N802SP, piloted by a commercial pilot, was substantially damaged during a hard landing at Jeffco Airport, Broomfield, Colorado. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The local instructional flight was being conducted under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 without a flight plan. The pilot and flight instructor were not injured. The flight originated at Broomfield approximately 1400. According to the accident report filed by the pilot, he was a CFI candidate and his flight instructor was preparing him to take the flight instructor practical test. He was asked to demonstrate a short field landing on runway 11R. The airplane crossed the threshold at 65 KIAS (knots indicated airspeed) and was flared about 60-61 KIAS. The nose "suddenly pitched down" and the airplane struck the runway "hard." The pilot added full power, retracted the flaps to 20 degrees, and rejected the landing. The airplane vibrated as it climbed 300-400 feet per minute to pattern altitude. The flight instructor assumed control of the airplane, declared an emergency, and told control tower personnel that the elevator was jammed. The instructor used power to control altitude and flew a 2-mile final approach. The engine was shut down just before touchdown, and a successful landing was made on runway 11L. Postaccident examination disclosed the propeller had struck the runway, and the nose wheel was crooked. The nose strut was pushed back into the firewall. The elevator and elevator trim, which had been set for landing, were also jammed. According to a repair company that examined the airplane, there was no evidence of a pre-existing failure of the elevator. Movement of the elevator and trim cables were restricted as a result of the hard runway contact.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:45 MDT
Nearest AirportJEFFCO (0nm)
Runway11R
Runway Length7004 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 172S
Tail NumberN802SP
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorMcair Aviation
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-360-L2A · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 64 · Third Class · None
Crew 2Age 60 · Second Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind50° @ 10 kt
Visibility30 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 10000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point57 / 45 C
Altimeter29.86 inHg
Observation Time19:48
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data