# NTSB ATL92LA125: Cessna 172, N97883, Auburn, AL, June 14, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 14, 1992, 15:35 local (20:35 UTC)
- Place: Auburn, AL
- Coordinates: 32.590652, -85.480392 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.5907&lon=-85.4804&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 29, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8618
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL92LA125
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8618/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL92LA125

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER LANDING FLARE, AND HIS IMPROPER RECOVERY FROM A BOUNCED LANDING.

## 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)
  - porpoise/pilot-induced oscillation - inadvertent, pilot in command
  - recovery from bounced landing - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown
  - aborted landing - inadvertent, pilot in command

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT, AFTER TAKEOFF, HE REMAINED IN THE TRAFFIC PATTERN TO CONDUCT TOUCH AND GO LANDINGS. A FINAL APPROACH WAS FLOWN AT 65 KTS WITH FULL FLAPS EXTENDED. HE BELIEVED HE WAS HOLDING FULL UP ELEVATOR CONTROL PRESSURE WHEN THE AIRPLANE LANDED HARD. THE AIRCRAFT BOUNCED & PORPOISED OVER ONTO THE NOSE LANDING GEAR. THE PILOT SAID HIS HAND WAS STILL ON THE THROTTLE & HE INADVERTENTLY APPLIED POWER. THE AIRPLANE BECAME AIRBORNE AGAIN, & HE NOTED A LOSS OF ELEVATOR CONTROL. ELEVATOR TRIM WAS USED TO FLY THE AIRPLANE AROUND THE TRAFFIC PATTERN FOR A FINAL LANDING. BENT STRUCTURE FROM THE COLLAPSED NOSE LANDING GEAR IMPINGED ON THE COCKPIT CONTROL COLUMN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N97883](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N97883), registered now, S/N 17276237, built 1984 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- Registry model: [Cessna 172P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172p) (registry code 2072436) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17276237
- Airframe hours: 5000
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D2J 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Auburn University
- Registered owner: Auburn University
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, May 21, 1992, 41 hours before
- Flight plan: Company VFR
- Airport: AUO, Auburn-Opelika, runway 18, 3,933 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 96 total, 6 in this make and model, 42 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: AUO, 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 19920614022779A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920614022779A), Jun 14, 1992: Cessna 172P, Auburn, AL, Substantial damage. Bounced on hard landing. Elected go around. Impact jammed elevator. Landed using trim tab. Nose gear firewall damage

## Other investigations on N97883 (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 ERA23FA008](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23FA008), Oct 6, 2022: Cessna 172 (N97883), Newport News, VA, substantial damage, 1 fatal. Probable cause: The flight instructor’s failure to monitor the student pilot on takeoff and her delayed remedial action to stop him from exceeding the airplane’s critical angle of attack, which resulted in a low…

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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