# NTSB BFO88LA077: Cessna 172, N4156F, Oakland, MD, August 28, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 28, 1988, 12:25 local (16:25 UTC)
- Place: Oakland, MD
- Coordinates: 39.409355, -79.409622 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.4094&lon=-79.4096&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 11, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11434
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO88LA077
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11434/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO88LA077

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - airspeed - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - throttle/power control - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/mush (cause)
- Nose over, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO THE PILOT THE LANDING APPROACH FOR RUNWAY 22 WAS MADE OVER POWER LINES. HE STATED THAT DURING THE APPROACH THE STALL WARNING HORN ACTIVATED AND HE INCREASED POWER TO MAINTAIN 60 MPH WITH 20 DEGS OF FLAPS. ONCE ESTIMATING THAT HIS INTENDED POINT OF TOUCHDOWN COULD BE REACHED, HE REDUCED THE POWER AT WHICH POINT THE AIRPLANE 'DROPPED.' THE AIRPLANE CONTACTED THE TERRAIN IN A FLAT ATTITUDE, THE NOSE GEAR FAILED AND THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER COMING TO REST APRX 60 FEET BEYOND THE THRESHOLD. THE PASSENGER STATED THAT THE STALL WARNING ACTIVATED AS THE AIRPLANE DESCENDED TO TERRAIN IMPACT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4156F](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4156F), registered now, S/N 46056 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- Registry model: [Cessna 172](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172) (registry code 2072402) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 46056
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300-A 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Robert W. Davis
- Registered owner: Robert W Davis
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 1988, 10 hours before
- Departed: 1W3, CUMBERLAND, MD
- Airport: 2MD8, Greater Gortner, runway 22, 2,000 × 50 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 157 total, 16 in this make and model, 97 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 63 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MGW, 29 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 19880828035449A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880828035449A), Aug 28, 1988: Cessna 172, Oakland, MD, Substantial damage. Too slow on final after clearing power line. Reduced power and 172 dropped hard onto runway. Folded gear. Flipped.

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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