Cessna 172K accident near Ocracoke, North Carolina, March 5, 2011
On March 5, 2011 at about 4:30 pm local time, a Cessna 172K, registered N84867, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing (flare/touchdown) near Ocracoke, North Carolina (Ocracoke Island airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s inadequate flare and failure to regain control of the airplane while attempting to recover from bounced landing.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- March 5, 2011 · about 4:30 pm local time
- Place
- Ocracoke, North Carolina · Ocracoke Island · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 172K · all 172Ks on the register
- Registration
- N84867 · no longer on the register · serial 17258645
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that he maneuvered the airplane for an approach to the runway and was compensating for a crosswind. While over the approach end of the runway, about 20 feet above the ground, the airplane descended rapidly and touched down hard. As the airplane bounced back airborne, the pilot attempted to recover by applying full engine power and it started to accelerate. Before sufficient altitude was gained, the wind pushed the airplane to the left into bushes located about 30 feet off the runway. The airplane came to a full stop just short of mid field. The left side of the fuselage and left wing incurred substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Abnormal runway contact during landing (flare/touchdown)
- Loss of control in flight during landing (flare/touchdown) defining event
- Runway excursion during landing (flare/touchdown)
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during landing (flare/touchdown)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Lack of action › Pilot
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Directional control › Not attained/maintained
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 184 hours in all; 184 in this make and model; 3 in the last 90 days
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 8,433 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, August 3, 2010
- Maximum gross weight: 2,300 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming 0-320 SERIES (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: MQI Manteo NC at 3:15 pm
- Destination: W95 Ocracoke NC
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 06, 2,999 ft by 60 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 149° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 4,100 ft
- Temperature: 63°F (17°C), dew point 50°F (10°C)
- Altimeter: 30.39 inHg
- Observation at 4:15 pm from HSE, 19 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.