CESSNA 172P
Valparaiso, FL, February 18, 2013
Event Information
| Date | February 18, 2013 |
| Event Type | ACC |
| Location | Valparaiso, FL |
| Country | USA |
| Coordinates | 30.48306, -86.52611 |
| Airport | Eglin Air Force Base |
| Highest Injury | NONE |
| NTSB Number | ERA13CA146 |
| Event ID | 20130227X35753 |
Aircraft
| Make | CESSNA |
| Model | 172P |
| Registration # | N98598 |
| Operator | Eglin AFB Aero Club |
| Owner | UNITED STATES AIR FORCE |
| 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 failure to maintain control of the airplane while landing in gusting wind conditions.
Full Narrative
Following a brief local flight, the pilot entered the traffic pattern at his home airport. While on final approach to the runway, the pilot noted the gusting crosswind and elected to approach the runway at an airspeed of 70 knots, instead of the typical 60 knots. The airplane touched down on the runway, ballooned to a height of approximately 10 feet, and then bounced twice more before it settled onto the runway. The pilot suspected that the nose landing gear tire had ruptured, taxied off the runway, and shutdown the engine. During the accident sequence, the airplane’s firewall was substantially damaged. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The wind reported at the airport about the time of the accident was from left quartering headwind at 15 knots, with gusts to 20 knots.
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.