# NTSB CHI94LA312: Cessna 172, N9955V, Milwaukee, WI, September 4, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 4, 1994, 15:48 local (20:48 UTC)
- Place: Milwaukee, WI
- Location: 43.0389° N, 87.9065° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Milwaukee, WI, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.0389&lon=-87.9065&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 24, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 9666
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI94LA312
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9666/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI94LA312

## Probable cause

the pilot's improper flare during touchdown.  A factor in the accident was the rupture of the nose landing gear tire.

## 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)
  - landing gear,tire - ruptured (contributing factor)

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, THE AIRPLANE TOUCHED DOWN ON ITS MAIN LANDING GEAR.  SHE STATED THE NOSE WHEEL COLLAPSED UPON TOUCHDOWN AND THE PROPELLER STRUCK THE RUNWAY.  THE PILOT THEN LOST DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE.  A POSTACCIDENT EXAMINATION BY A MECHANIC REVEALED NO THIN OR WORN AREAS ON THE NOSE WHEEL TIRE.  HEAVY WRINKLING WAS OBSERVED ON THE AIRPLANE COWLING.  THE UPPER NOSE STRUT SUPPORT WAS BROKEN AT THE BOLT LUGS.  RIVETS WERE SHEARED ON ONE SIDE OF THE STRUT AND PULLED ON THE OTHER SIDE.  ALL RIVETS OF THE LOWER NOSE STRUT SUPPORT WERE SHEARED IN A REARWARD DIRECTION.

## Factual narrative

On September 4, 1994, at 1548 central daylight time, a Cessna 172, N9955V, sustained substantial damage while landing at Milwaukee-Timmerman Airport, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.  Neither the pilot nor the two passengers were injured.  The 14 CFR Part 91 flight originated in Appleton, Wisconsin, at 1450.  No flight plan was filed, and visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time.

In a written statement, the pilot reported the airplane touched down on runway 15L (4100' x 75') on its main landing gear.  She stated the nose wheel collapsed upon touchdown and the propeller struck the runway despite her efforts to hold the nose wheel off the ground.  The pilot stated she then lost directional control of the airplane.

A postaccident examination of the airplane was performed by a local mechanic.  He stated the nose wheel tire appeared to have been in good condition.  No thin or worn areas were noted on the tire which could have indicated a tire failure.  Heavy wrinkling was observed on the cowling of the airplane.  The upper nose strut support was broken at the bolt lugs.  Rivets were sheared on one side of the strut and pulled on the other side.  All rivets of the lower nose strut support were sheared in a rearward direction.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N9955V (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17264573
- Airframe hours: 3793
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Flying Dutchman Leasing Co.
- Registered owner: Flying Dutchman Leasing Co.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Provisional (Special); Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, August 16, 1994
- Departed: ATW, APPLETON, WI
- Airport: MWCQ, Timmerman, runway 15L, 4,100 × 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--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 127 total, 20 in this make and model, 127 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 160° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 15,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 64 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19940904025549A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940904025549A), Sep 4, 1994: Cessna 172M, Milwaukee, WI, Substantial damage. Bounced on nose first landing. Nose wheel collapsed. Reported normal landing but damage shows otherwise.

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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