Cessna 172 accident near Jacksonville, Florida, March 3, 2005
On March 3, 2005 at about 3:30 pm local time, a Cessna 172, registered N4980R, was substantially damaged in an accident near Jacksonville, Florida (Herlong Airport). It was an instructional flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's improper landing flare which resulted in a hard landing.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- March 3, 2005 · about 3:30 pm local time
- Place
- Jacksonville, Florida · Herlong Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 172 · all 172s on the register
- Registration
- N4980R · no longer on the register · serial 172563Z4
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The student pilot stated her second landing approach was a "little fast" and right at the point she flared the nosewheel hit the runway hard. She attempted to maintain control of the airplane, but the nosewheel hit hard again. She then applied full throttle deciding to make a go-around. The third landing was without incident and she taxied back to the ramp. After the airplane was secure she observed the airplane, and found damage to the propeller and nose. The student pilot stated there were no mechanical failures or malfunction to the airplane or any of its systems prior to the accident. The chief pilot for the Navy flying club stated he observed the student pilot takeoff and fly the traffic pattern. The second approach seemed slightly fast, but well controlled. The round out and flare appeared to be normal but the airplane seemed to touch down early, landing flat on all three wheels. Then the nose came up abruptly and the airplane climbed about 3-4 feet into the air followed by the nose coming down abruptly and appeared to contact the runway. Again, the airplane rose about 3-4 feet followed by an abrupt change in pitch nose down, and the nosewheel may have contacted the runway a second time. The student then added power and entered a shallow climb. After flying the traffic pattern the student landed normally and taxied back to the ramp. After the engine was secured he observed damage to the propeller tips, buckling of the fire wall and floor board panels.
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
Dual student
- Certificate: student
- Flight time: 24 hours in all; 24 in this make and model; 22 in the last 90 days; 7 in the last 30 days; 2 as pilot in command; 22 on instruments
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: frt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 12,174 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, December 16, 2004; 85 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,300 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental O-300D (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Jacksonville Navy Flying Club
The flight
- Departed from: HEG Jacksonville FL
- Destination: HEG Jacksonville FL
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 25, 4,000 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 260° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 10,000 ft
- Temperature: 99°F (37°C), dew point 90°F (32°C)
- Altimeter: 30.09 inHg
- Observation at 2:56 pm from HEG
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 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.