CESSNA 172
Palo Alto, CA — April 30, 2018
Event Information
| Date | April 30, 2018 |
| Event Type | ACC |
| NTSB Number | GAA18CA294 |
| Event ID | 20180524X25249 |
| Location | Palo Alto, CA |
| Country | USA |
| Coordinates | 37.46111, -122.11500 |
| Airport | PALO ALTO |
| Highest Injury | NONE |
Aircraft
| Make | CESSNA |
| Model | 172 |
| Category | AIR |
| FAR Part | 091 |
| Aircraft Damage | SUBS |
Conditions
| Light Condition | DAYL |
| Weather | VMC |
Injuries
| Fatal | 0 |
| Serious | 0 |
| Minor | 0 |
| None | 4 |
| Total Injured | 0 |
Event Location
Probable Cause
The pilot’s improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing.
Full Narrative
The pilot reported that, during short final, he noticed "a sudden lack of wind" and the airplane began to descend. He added that the airplane landed hard and bounced multiple times. He taxied back to the parking ramp without further incident.
The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
The owner of the airplane rental company reported that the pilot did not notify any personnel of the hard, bounded landing. He added that, during a later flight, the owner of the airplane noticed a vibration and landed to examine the airplane. Postflight examination revealed propeller damage and substantial damage to the fuselage.
About This NTSB Record
This aviation event was investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). NTSB investigates all U.S. civil aviation accidents to determine probable cause and issue safety recommendations to prevent future accidents.