# NTSB ATL89LA170: Cessna R172E, N48257, Birmingham, AL, June 16, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 16, 1989, 15:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: Birmingham, AL
- Coordinates: 33.489784, -86.729873 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.4898&lon=-86.7299&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 15, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8042
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL89LA170
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8042/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL89LA170

## Probable cause

IMPROPER FLARE BY THE PILOT, WHICH RESULTED IN A HARD LANDING.  THE FACT THAT THE PILOT WAS ASKED TWICE TO EXPEDITE THE LANDING CREATED PRESSURE ON THE PILOT AND WAS CONSIDERED TO BE A FACTOR.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - flare - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - pressure induced by others, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT WHEN SHE WAS ESTABLISHED ON FINAL APPROACH TO LAND, THE TOWER TOLD HER TO MAINTAIN HER SPEED BECAUSE OF TWO FIGHTERS BEHIND HER. SHE COMPLIED. SHE PLANNED TO LAND LONG AND TURN ONTO THE NEAREST TAXIWAY TO THE FBO. WHEN SHE WAS OVER THE RUNWAY AND WAS SLOWING TO LAND, THE CONTROLLER INSTRUCTED HER TO EXPEDITE THE LANDING. SUBSEQUENTLY, WHILE SHE WAS ATTEMPTING TO COMPLY, THE AIRCRAFT LANDED HARD, WHICH BUCKLED THE FIRE WALL. THE PILOT (OF N48257) DID NOT INFORM THE TOWER CONTROLLER THAT SHE HAD PLANNED TO LAND LONG.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N48257](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N48257-1990-07-27), registration cancelled 1990-07-27, S/N R1720157 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA R172E
- Registry model: [Cessna R172E](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-r172e) (registry code 2072413) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: R-172-0157
- Airframe hours: 1326
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Civil Air Patrol
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 4, 1989
- Departed: 3A1, CULLMAN, AL
- Airport: BHM, Birmingham Muni, runway 23, 10,000 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 648 total, 28 in this make and model, 6 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 63 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: BHM, 1 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19890616024609A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890616024609A), Jun 16, 1989: Cessna R172E, Birmingham, AL, Substantial damage. Trying to expedite landing due to F4 jets on approach. Bounced and porpoised on landing. Failed to trim for landing

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.

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