ATL82IA076

NTSB incident investigation · Cessna 172F · Mobile, AL · March 20, 1982

Incident · No injuriesIncident investigationFinal report

Date: March 20, 1982, 14:55 local (20:55 UTC)
Place: Mobile, AL
Injuries: 2 uninjured
Damage: Minor damage
Phase of flight: Landing
Aircraft: N8423UCessna 172F
Weather: Visual (VMC) · Day
Status: Completed · report March 20, 1983
Report: Approved by Office Director
FAA report: 19820320018469I
Case key: 71735

From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the incident.

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Sequence of events

NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.

Hard landingLanding - flare/touchdown

Landing gear,nose gear assembly - leakFactor

In-flight planning/decision - improperPilot in commandFactor

Operation with known deficiencies in equipment - performedPilot in commandFactor

Self-induced pressurePilot in commandFactor

Weather condition - crosswindFactor

Compensation for wind conditions - improperPilot in commandCause

Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skidLanding - flare/touchdown

Analysis

Upon arrival at the aircraft, the pilot noted that the nose gear strut was under inflated. The pilot, who is training to be an A&P mechanic, diagnosed the problem as an oil leak. However, to avoid aborting the flight, he inflated the strut with air only and took off. On landing, in a strong crosswind, the nose strut collapsed causing the aircraft to wheelbarrow. The propeller tips and the right wing tip scraped the runway causing minor damage.

Aircraft

Registration: N8423U
Reported as: Cessna 172F
Category: Airplane
Serial number: 172 52323
Airframe hours: 2,255
Engine: Continental O-300-D, 145 horsepower, reciprocating
Damage: Minor damage
Flight: Personal · Part 91
Operator: James M Lane
Registered owner: Thomas H Hopkins
Departed: MOB · Mobile, AL
Destination: MOB · Mobile, AL
Airport: MOB · Bates Field, runway 27, 4,988 × 150 ft, asphalt

N8423URegistration cancelled Jul 24, 2013 · Cessna 172FS/N 17252323 · Built 1964 Airframe modelCessna 172F Engine modelContinental 0-300 seriesReciprocating

Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

Role: Pilot
Age: 32
Certificate: Private
Airplane ratings: Single-engine land
Medical: Class 3, Valid Medical--no waivers/lim.
Flight hours: 135 total · 92 in this make and model · 99 as pilot in command · 5 in the last 90 days

Weather

Conditions: Visual (VMC) · Day
Wind: 210° at 15 knots
Visibility: 7 statute miles
Lowest ceiling: 3,500 ft broken
Temperature: 181 °F
Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

FAA reports on this event · 1

The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.

Incident 19820320018469ICessna 172F · Mobile, ALWing struck runway from gusty wind. Prop struck runway when nose came down. Nose wheel strut was flat.Mar 20, 1982 · N8423U · Minor damage

Other investigations on N8423U · 1

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

NTSB ATL82DA275Accident · Minor injuriesFinal reportMillry, ALThe pilot experienced a partial loss of power during a ferry flight and was forced to make an emergency landing in a field. He stated that he noted 4 vibrations followed by a missing in the engine. The RPM dropped to 1200 and he could not maintain altitude.…Sep 15, 1982 · Substantial damage