# NTSB CHI07CA006: Cessna 172N, N739XK, Grand Rapids, MN, October 9, 2006

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: October 9, 2006, 12:20 local (17:20 UTC)
- Place: Grand Rapids, MN
- Coordinates: 47.219264, -93.520507 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.2193&lon=-93.5205&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 31, 2007
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: Minneapolis
- NTSB case key (mKey): 64799
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI07CA006
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/64799/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI07CA006

## Probable cause

The student pilot's misjudged landing flare and improper recovery from the bounced landing which led to the failure of the nose landing gear.  The overload failure of the nose landing gear was a factor.

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing
  - flare - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - recovery from bounced landing - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Gear collapsed, landing
  - landing gear,nose gear - overload (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

The airplane was substantially damaged during a hard landing.  The student pilot was on a solo training flight when the accident occurred.  He reported that the airplane touched down "not too hard, and not at a steep angle."  He reported that he pulled back on the elevator control.  He stated that the second touchdown "was a severe bounce" and the airplane pitched up during that bounce.  The airplane subsequently impacted the runway a third time and the nose landing gear collapsed.  The student pilot reported no pre-impact mechanical failures or malfunctions of the airplane.

## Factual narrative

The airplane was substantially damaged during a hard landing.  The student pilot was on a solo training flight when the accident occurred.  He reported that the airplane touched down "not too hard, and not at a steep angle."  He reported that he pulled back on the elevator control.  He stated that the second touchdown "was a severe bounce" and the airplane pitched up during that bounce.  The airplane subsequently impacted the runway a third time and the nose landing gear collapsed.  The student pilot reported no pre-impact mechanical failures or malfunctions of the airplane.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N739XK](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N739XK), registered now, S/N 17270887, 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: 17270887
- Airframe hours: 13802
- Engines: Lycoming O-320 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Airways Aviation Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, September 1, 2006
- Departed: GPZ, Grand Rapids, MN

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 65; injuries: none; student; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; flight hours: 23 total, 23 in this make and model, 2 as pilot in command, 21 in the last 90 days, 13 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 350° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 45 °F, dew point 28 °F
- Altimeter: 30.45 inHg
- Observed at: GPZ

## 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 20061009027009A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20061009027009A), Oct 9, 2006: Cessna 172N, Grand Rapids, MN, Substantial damage. (-23) During landing, the aircraft was not pitched up. Aircraft touched down, and pilot pulled back on elevator too late causing aircraft to bounce. Pilot does…

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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