# NTSB ATL92LA041: Cessna 172I, N35308, Gadsden, AL, January 22, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 21, 1992, 19:17 local (Jan 22, 1992, 01:17 UTC)
- Place: Gadsden, AL
- Coordinates: 34.079723, -85.989204 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.0797&lon=-85.9892&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 13, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8555
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL92LA041
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8555/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL92LA041

## Probable cause

THE IMPROPER RECOVERY FROM A BOUNCED LANDING BY THE PILOT UNDER EXAMINATION, AND HIS SUBSEQUENT FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL. INADEQUATE SUPERVISION BY THE DESIGNATED EXAMINER WAS A FACTOR.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, landing - flare/touchdown
  - recovery from bounced landing - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - supervision - inadequate, designated examiner (contributing factor)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - airport facility

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS TAKING HIS PRIVATE PILOT FLIGHT CHECK. THE FINAL LANDING WAS BEING ACCOMPLISHED, AT NIGHT, WHICH WAS A SHORT FIELD LANDING OVER A SIMULATED 50 FOOT OBSTACLE. THE LANDING LIGHT, TAXI LIGHT, AND RUNWAY LIGHTS WERE ON. AT TOUCHDOWN THE AIRPLANE BOUNCED AND THE PILOT UNDER EXAMINATION BEGAN A GO-AROUND AT A VERY SLOW AIRSPEED. FULL POWER AND RIGHT RUDDER WERE APPLIED. THE AIRPLANE YAWED LEFT AND FULL RIGHT RUDDER AND RIGHT AILERON WAS APPLIED. THE AIRPLANE VEERED OFF OF THE RUNWAY, THEN TRAVELED ABOUT 75-100 FEET, AND STRUCK THE WIND SOCK POLE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N35308](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N35308), registered now, S/N 17256704, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172I
- Registry model: [Cessna 172I](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172i) (registry code 2072426) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17256704
- Airframe hours: 2780
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Liberty Aviation, Inc.
- Registered owner: Liberty Aviation, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 12, 1991, 27 hours before
- Airport: GAD, Gadsden Municipal, runway 24, 6,803 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 100 total, 100 in this make and model, 25 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 0° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 37 °F, dew point 28 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: GAD, 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 19920121000679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920121000679A), Jan 21, 1992: Cessna 172I, Gadsden, AL, Substantial damage. On private flight test bounced landing. Tried go around dragged a wing. Veered off runway striking windsock pole.

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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