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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

June 13, 2011 · Cessna 172S · N539ND

Grand Forks, ND

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 13, 2011
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Grand Forks, ND
Aircraft
Cessna 172S
Tail Number
N539ND
Operator
University of North Dakota
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CEN11LA386

The flight instructor reported that his student was practicing landings, and the airplane touched down right of the runway centerline and began to bounce as the student attempted to realign with the centerline. The flight instructor indicated that a wind gust was likely responsible for the initial bounce, but the airplane continued to bounce with an escalating intensity. He noted that on the third or fourth bounce he assumed control of the airplane in order to abort the landing. He reported that before he could establish a climb the airplane experienced an additional hard landing. He regained control and landed the airplane without further incident. The operator reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation of the airplane.

NTSB Probable Cause

The flight instructor’s delayed remedial action to the student pilot’s bounced landing and subsequent loss of aircraft control.

Full Narrative

On June 13, 2011, at 1210 central daylight time, a Cessna model 172S airplane, N539ND, was substantially damaged during a hard landing at Grand Forks International Airport (KGFK), Grand Forks, North Dakota. The flight instructor and student were not injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by the University of North Dakota, under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, which was operated without a flight plan. The local instructional flight originated from KGFK at 1110. The flight instructor reported that his student was practicing landings to runway 17R when the accident occurred. The student, who was obtaining instruction toward a flight instructor certificate, was flying from the right seat. The flight instructor reported that the airplane touched down right of the runway centerline and began to bounce as the student attempted to realign the airplane with the centerline. He stated that a wind gust was likely responsible for the initial bounce, but the airplane continued to bounce with an escalating intensity. He noted that on the third or fourth bounce he assumed control of the airplane in order to abort the landing. He reported that before he could establish a climb the airplane experienced an additional hard landing. He regained control and landed the airplane without further incident. A postaccident inspection of the airplane revealed substantial buckling to the firewall. The nose landing gear was displaced 20-30 degrees forward. The operator reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation of the airplane. At 1153, the airport's automated surface observing system reported the following weather conditions: wind 160 degrees at 22 knots, gusting 27 knots; visibility 10 miles; scattered clouds at 2,300 feet above ground level (agl), broken ceilings 11,000 and 25,000 feet agl; temperature 21 degrees Celsius; dew point 14 degrees Celsius; altimeter setting 29.87 inches of mercury. A peak wind velocity measuring 29 knots from 180 degrees was recorded at 1203.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:10 CDT
Nearest AirportGrand Forks International (0nm)
Runway17R
Runway Length7349 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 172S
Tail NumberN539ND
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorUniversity of North Dakota
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 25 · First Class · None
Crew 2Age 23 · Second Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind160° @ 22 kt, gusting 27 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 11000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point70 F / 57
Altimeter29.87 inHg
Observation Time16:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data