# NTSB CHI99LA039: Cessna 172N, N739LK, Evansville, IN, November 26, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 26, 1998, 09:45 local (14:45 UTC) - Place: Evansville, IN - Coordinates: 37.979419, -87.539726 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.9794&lon=-87.5397&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 31, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 45374 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI99LA039 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/45374/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI99LA039 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper flare and improper recovery from a bounced landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Hard landing, landing - flare - improper, pilot in command (cause) - recovery from bounced landing - improper, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis A Cessna 172 received substantial damage on impact with terrain during a bounced landing at Evansville Regional Airport near Evansville, Indiana. The pilot stated that his approach speed was 65-70 knots with full flaps. He reported that the aircraft touched down on the main landing gear, bounced approximately 6 feet above ground level with an airspeed of 45-50 knots. He added that the aircraft touched down on its nose wheel causing the nose wheel to separate. The pilot stated that he had 'over controlled' during the landing and that there were no mechanical abnormalities with the aircraft. ## Factual narrative On November 26, 1998, at 0945 eastern standard time, a Cessna 172N, N739LK, operated by Tri State Aero, received substantial damage on impact with terrain during a bounced landing on runway 27 (3,500 feet by 75 feet, dry asphalt) at Evansville Regional Airport near Evansville, Indiana. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The private pilot reported no injuries. The 14 CFR Part 91 local flight was not operating on a flight plan. The flight originated at Evansville Regional Airport at approximately 0800. The pilot reported that he arrived at the airport at 0730 to practice takeoff and landings. He stated that he performed 5 crosswind landings on Runway 18, departed 4 miles to the west for sightseeing and then returned to perform 10-12 landings prior to the accident. The pilot stated that his approach speed was 65-70 knots with full flaps. He reported that the aircraft touched down on the main landing gear, bounced approximately 6 feet above ground level with an airspeed of 45-50 knots. He added that the aircraft touched down on its nose wheel causing the nose wheel to separate. The pilot stated that he had "over controlled" during the landing and that there were no mechanical abnormalities with the aircraft. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N739LK](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N739LK), registered now, S/N 17270626, 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: 1720626 - Airframe hours: 4125 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Tri State Aero - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 14, 1998, 50 hours before - Departed: EVV - Airport: EVV, Evansville Regional, runway 27, 3,500 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 39; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 147 total, 31 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 270° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 37 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: EVV ## 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 19981126032519A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19981126032519A), Nov 26, 1998: Cessna 172N, Evansville, IN, Substantial damage. Acft landed hard near intersection of rwy while doing touch and go landings, gear sheared off. (.19) on November 26, 1998, at 0945 eastern standard time, a… 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.