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NTSB Report
March 4, 2012 · Cessna 172S · N53460
Lafayette, TN
Overview
Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 4, 2012
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Lafayette, TN
Aircraft
Cessna 172S
Tail Number
N53460
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ERA12CA209
The pilot estimated the wind was from 270 degrees at 13 mph gusting to 25 mph when he was conducting a touch-and-go landing on runway 1. As the main landing gear touched down, a gust of wind lifted the airplane back into the air, to an altitude of about 8 feet above ground level. The airplane landed again, hard, on the runway, and the pilot added power to abort the landing. The pilot returned to his departure airport without further incident; however, subsequent examination revealed damage to the engine firewall. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operations.
NTSB Probable Cause
The pilot’s inadequate compensation for gusting crosswind conditions during landing, which resulted in a hard landing.
Full Narrative
The pilot stated he was conducting touch and go landings. The surface winds, located 31 miles from the accident site were 270 degrees at 9 knots gusting to 20 knots. The pilot made an approach to runway 01. He estimated the winds at “270 degrees, at 13 miles gusting to 25 miles”. As the main landing gear touched down, a gust of wind lifted the airplane back into the air, about 8 feet above ground level. The airplane collided hard with the runway on the nose and main landing gear before the pilot could add power. The pilot returned to his departure airport without further incident. Examination of the airplane revealed it had sustained damage to the propeller and engine firewall. The pilot reported no pre-accident mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operations.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:15 CST
Nearest AirportLafayette Municipal (0nm)
Runway01
Runway Length5200 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftCessna 172S
Tail NumberN53460
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-360-L2A · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 61 · Third Class · None
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind270° @ 9 kt, gusting 20 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 7500 ft
Temperature / Dew Point45 C / 19 C
Altimeter29.95 inHg
Observation Time18:15
Weather SourceWFAC