# Accident 19970716047699A: Cessna 172N, Ankeny, IA, July 16, 1997

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: July 16, 1997, 09:30 local time
- Place: Ankeny, IA
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 41.0101° N, 92.4092° W: From the FAA, an estimate near the named town, within about 3 miles
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.0101&lon=-92.4092&mi=10
- Aircraft: N733FT, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N733FT) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Cessna 172N (registry code 2072434, https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming 0-320 series (registry code 41508, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172N
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB CHI97LA214](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI97LA214) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970716047699A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

(-16) AFTER ENDORSING THE STUDENT PILOT FOR SOLO FLIGHT IN THE OTTUMWA AIRPORT TRAFFIC PATTERN, THE CFI WENT INTO THE BUILDING AND WAS READING A MAGAZINE WHEN THE STUDENT, ON THE SECOND LANDING ATTEMPT CAME IN TOO FLAT AND TOO SLOW. THIS PROCEDURE ENDED IN THE AIRCRAFT BOUNCING TWICE ON THE NOSE WHEEL WITH THE LANDING AGAIN FINDING THE NOSE WHEEL FIRST. THE DAMAGE TO THE AIRCRAFT INCLUDED THE NOSE STRUT, FIREWALL AND THE FLOOR BOARDS OF THE CABIN AREA. IF THE STUDENT WAS HAVING DIFFICULTY ON THE FIRST APPROACH TO LANDING, THE CFI WOULD HAVE BEEN ABLE TO ASSIST OR STOP THE FLIGHT AT THAT POINT. INSTEAD, THE CFI WAS IN THE BUILDING AT THE TIME AND DID NOT SEE OR HEAR OF THE ACCIDENT UNTIL THE STUDENT ENTERED THE BUILDING AFTER THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB CHI97LA214](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI97LA214), Jul 16, 1997: Cessna 172 (N733FT), Ottumwa, IA, substantial damage. Probable cause: the improper flare performed by the student and the inadequate recovery from the bounced landing. A factor related to the accident was the student lack of experience.

## Other reports on N733FT (2)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Accident 20020205007719A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020205007719A), Feb 5, 2002: Cessna 172N (N733FT), Ottumwa, IA, No damage. (-23) The pilot is a student pilot with current endorsements and medical/student pilot certificates. He was in solo flight practicing takeoffs and landings,…
- [Incident 19920530022619I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920530022619I), May 30, 1992: Cessna 172N (N733FT), Durant, OK, Minor damage. Loss of engine power. Precautionary landing on highway. Engine failure caused by a failed valve.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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