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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

June 13, 2013 · Cessna 172S · N552ND

Grand Forks, ND

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 13, 2013
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Grand Forks, ND
Aircraft
Cessna 172S
Tail Number
N552ND
Operator
University of North Dakota
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CEN13LA348

The solo student pilot was attempting to land the airplane on the runway. His first attempt to land was too fast, so he performed a go-around. During the second attempted landing, the airplane landed hard and bounced. The student initiated a second go-around and pitched the nose up 10 to15 degrees. During the climb, the airplane rolled left, stalled, and then impacted the ground. An examination of the airplane did not reveal any preimpact malfunctions or failure that would have precluded normal operation of the airplane.

NTSB Probable Cause

The student pilot’s inadequate recovery from a bounced landing, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall during the go-around.

Full Narrative

On June 13, 2013, about 1330 central daylight time, a Cessna 172S airplane, N552ND, impacted terrain during a go-around maneuver at the Grand Forks International Airport (KGFK), Grand Forks, North Dakota. The solo student pilot sustained serious injuries and the airplane was substantially damaged. The airplane was registered to and operated by the University of North Dakota under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as an instructional flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight which operated without a flight plan. The local flight originated from KGFK about 1200. According to information provided by the University of North Dakota, the pilot departed the airport and flew practice maneuvers in a local air work area before returning to the airport for landing practice. The first attempt to land was too fast, so a go-around was performed. During the second attempt to land, the airplane landed hard and bounced. A go-around was performed and during the climb, the left wing dropped. The airplane descended and impacted terrain about 50 degrees nose low attitude. An examination of the airframe and engine, conducted by inspectors from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), did not detect any preimpact malfunctions or failures which would have precluded normal operation of the airplane. The airplane was equipped with a Garmin G1000. Data extracted from this device revealed that the airplane touched down with an indicated airspeed about 40 knots. The airplane bounced and the airplane's nose was pitched up to 15 degrees. As the airspeed decayed to about 25 knots, the pilot applied engine power, and pitched the airplane 10-15 degrees nose up. The airplane touched down again and rolled a short distance down the runway before taking off with the airspeed at about 30 knots. The airplane pitched to 20 degrees nose high as the airplane stalled and rolled left. The FAA's Airplane Flying Handbook (FAA-H-8083-3B) informs pilots that "[w]hen a bounce is severe, the safest procedure is to execute a go-around immediately." In addition, "[f]ull power should be applied while simultaneously maintaining directional control, and lowering the nose to a safe climb attitude."

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:30 CDT
Nearest AirportGrand Forks International (0nm)
Runway17R
Runway Length7351 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 172S
Tail NumberN552ND
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorUniversity of North Dakota
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-360-L2A · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 23 · First Class · Serious

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind40° @ 5 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point52
Altimeter30.07 inHg
Observation Time18:38
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data