Cessna 172S N61237

Summary

On 14 November 2021 at about 10:13 local time, a Cessna 172S registered N61237, operated by Phoenix East Aviation LLC, was involved in an accident near Palm Coast, Florida, United States. One person was on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

14 November 2021 at 10:13

Classification

Accident

Location

Palm Coast, Florida, United States

Nearest airport

Flagler Exec (FIN)

Coordinates

29.4672, -81.2002

Aircraft

Cessna 172S

Registration

N61237

Category

Airplane

Year built

2008

Engines

1

Operator

Phoenix East Aviation LLC

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Instructional

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Daytona Bch → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ERA22LA065

Nobody was injured.

The student pilot’s improper landing flare and subsequent improper recovery from a bounced landing, resulting in a hard landing and substantial damage to the lower fuselage and firewall.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The student pilot reported turning base to final and noticed birds in front of the airplane; she avoided the birds and lined the airplane up on the runway centerline. The pilot stated that during the landing flare the airplane “began to balloon” and she reduced power and back pressure. The airplane continued to balloon as it “became out of my control.” The airplane bounced several times, striking the runway hard before coming to rest on the runway, resulting in substantial damage the cockpit floor structure and firewall. The student pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.