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NTSB Report

July 8, 2022 · Cessna 172M · N9946Q

South Portland, ME

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 8, 2022
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 serious injuries)
Location
South Portland, ME
Aircraft
Cessna 172M (1975)
Tail Number
N9946Q
Operator
Portland Flight Services
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ERA22LA303

The student pilot had previously accumulated about 40 total hours of flight experience, but the accident flight with the flight instructor was his first after having not flown for about six years. During the first approach to landing, the flight instructor directed the student to perform a touch-and-go landing. The student pilot stated that he felt “nervous” given the amount of time that had elapsed since he had last flown. The student thought that he subsequently landed the airplane hard and recalled hearing the sound of “crunching metal.” His next recollection was waking up on the runway as the airplane caught fire. The student pilot and the flight instructor were seriously injured and the airplane’s fuselage was substantially damaged during the landing and subsequent postimpact fire. Despite several attempts to contact him, the flight instructor could not be reached following the accident and did not provide a statement about the accident.

NTSB Probable Cause

The student pilot’s improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing. Also causal was the flight instructor’s inadequate remedial action.

Full Narrative

The student pilot had previously accumulated about 40 total hours of flight experience, but the accident flight with the flight instructor was his first after having not flown for about six years. During the first approach to landing, the flight instructor directed the student to perform a touch-and-go landing. The student pilot stated that he felt “nervous” given the amount of time that had elapsed since he had last flown. The student thought that he subsequently landed the airplane hard and recalled hearing the sound of “crunching metal.” His next recollection was waking up on the runway as the airplane caught fire. The student pilot and the flight instructor were seriously injured and the airplane’s fuselage was substantially damaged during the landing and subsequent postimpact fire. Despite several attempts to contact him, the flight instructor could not be reached following the accident and did not provide a statement about the accident.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:35 EDT
Nearest AirportPortland Intl Jetport (1nm SE)
Runway18
Runway Length6100 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 172M
Tail NumberN9946Q
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorPortland Flight Services
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeUnknown
Engine DetailsUnknown · Unknown
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 serious injuries)
Fatal0
Serious2
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 70 · Third Class · Serious
Crew 2Age 56 · Second Class · Serious

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind170° @ 7 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point61 F
Altimeter29.89 inHg
Observation Time15:51
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data