# NTSB CHI00LA117: Cessna 172N, N5909E, Chesterfield, MO, April 13, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 12, 2000, 19:00 local (Apr 13, 2000, 00:00 UTC) - Place: Chesterfield, MO - Coordinates: 38.649135, -90.579223 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.6491&lon=-90.5792&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 17, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 49007 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI00LA117 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/49007/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI00LA117 ## Probable cause the pilot misjudged the landing flare which resulted in the airplane porpoising on the runway during the landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - flare/touchdown - flare - misjudged, pilot in command (cause) - porpoise/pilot-induced oscillation - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause) - landing gear,tire - disabled - touch-and-go - attempted, pilot in command - touch-and-go - aborted, pilot in command ## Analysis The pilot reported the accident occurred on the fourth touch and go of the flight. The pilot reported that she pulled the power to idle when the airplane was over the runway. The airplane touched down and porpoised. She reported the airplane porpoised three times prior to coming to rest on the runway. The pilot stated that she was unaware that the nose tire was flat and she initiated another takeoff. She stated that after becoming airborne she noticed a shimmer and the airplane had a tendency to veer to the left. She aborted the takeoff and stopped the airplane on the runway. ## Factual narrative On April 12, 2000, at 1900 central daylight time (cdt), a Cessna 172N, N5909E, operated by a private pilot porpoised while landing on runway 08L (5,000' x 75', dry asphalt) at the Spirit of St. Louis Airport, Chesterfield, Missouri. The pilot was not injured. The airplane was substantially damaged. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan. The local flight originated at the Spirit of St. Louis Airport, at 1830 cdt. The pilot reported the accident occurred on the fourth touch and go of the flight. She stated that while she was on downwind, she requested a wind check and was informed the winds were from 120 degrees at 12 knots. She reported she decided to use 20 degrees of flaps for the landing. The pilot reported that she pulled the power to idle when the airplane was over the runway. The airplane touched down and porpoised. She reported the airplane porpoised three times prior to coming to rest on the runway. The pilot stated that she was unaware that the nose tire was flat and she initiated another takeoff. She stated that after becoming airborne she noticed a shimmer and the airplane had a tendency to veer to the left. She aborted the takeoff and stopped the airplane on the runway. Post accident inspection of the airplane revealed the nose wheel was flat, the firewall had sustained damage, and one propeller blade tip was missing. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5909E](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5909E), registered now, S/N 17271958, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172N - Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17271958 - Airframe hours: 7972 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Thunder Aviation Acquisition - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, April 7, 2000, 15 hours before - Departed: SUS - Destination: SUS - Airport: SUS, Spirit Of St. Louis, runway 8L, 5,000 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 38; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 79 total, 79 in this make and model, 15 as pilot in command, 22 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 120° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken - Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 28 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: SUS ## 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 20000412040279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000412040279A), Apr 12, 2000: Cessna 172N, St Louis, MO, No damage. (-23) The pilot was practicing touch and go landings in the airport pattern. On her fourth approach she stated that the aircraft was trimmed for an approximate… 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.