# NTSB CHI97LA214: Cessna 172, N733FT, Ottumwa, IA, July 16, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 16, 1997, 09:45 local (14:45 UTC) - Place: Ottumwa, IA - Coordinates: 41.010074, -92.40921 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.0101&lon=-92.4092&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 7, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 10632 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI97LA214 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10632/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI97LA214 ## Probable cause the improper flare performed by the student and the inadequate recovery from the bounced landing. A factor related to the accident was the student lack of experience. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, landing - flare/touchdown - flare - improper, pilot in command (cause) - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor) - recovery from bounced landing - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown ## Analysis The accident occurred during the second landing of the student's first solo flight. The student reported that during the landing the airplane bounced three or four times coming down on the nose gear first. The student attempted remedial action to no avail. ## Factual narrative On July 16, 1997, at 0945 central daylight time, a Cessna 172, N733FT, operated by a student pilot collided with the terrain following a loss of control during a landing flare on runway 31 (6,499' x 150') at the Ottumwa Industrial Airport, Ottumwa, Iowa. The student pilot was not injured. The airplane was substantially damaged. The local flight was being conducted in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan. The flight originated from Ottumwa, Iowa, at 0930 central standard time. The accident occurred during the second landing on the student's first solo flight. The student reported that the first landing was "... O.K., but a little bit rough." The student reported that during the second landing flare the airplane bounced three or four times coming down on the nose gear first. The student reported adding power in an attempt to recover. The student continued to state, "I probably flared too soon when the airspeed was still to high... ." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N733FT](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N733FT), registered now, S/N 17268267, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172 - 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: 17268267 - Airframe hours: 3683 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-H2AD 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Ottumwa Flying Service - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, April 7, 1997, 58 hours before - Departed: OTM - Destination: OTM - Airport: OTM, Ottumwa Industrial, runway 22, 5,178 × 200 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 22; student; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 18 total, 18 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 220° at 6 knots, gusting 15 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F ## 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 19970716047699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970716047699A), Jul 16, 1997: Cessna 172N, Ankeny, IA, Substantial damage. (-16) After endorsing the student pilot for solo flight in the ottumwa airport traffic pattern, the CFI went into the building and was reading a magazine when… ## Other investigations on N733FT (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 CHI02LA076](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI02LA076), Feb 5, 2002: Cessna 172N (N733FT), Ottumwa, IA, substantial damage. Probable cause: the student pilot failed to maintain directional control during takeoff. A contributing factor was the snowbank. 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.