# NTSB DEN00LA114: Cessna 172, N738WE, Abuquerque, NM, June 19, 2000

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 19, 2000
- Place: Abuquerque, NM
- Coordinates: 34.980487, -106.609336 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.9805&lon=-106.6093&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 25, 2003
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: FAA FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 49466
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN00LA114
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/49466/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN00LA114

## Probable cause

The pilot's improper flare and his inadequate 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/touchdown
  - flare - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - recovery from bounced landing - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose gear collapsed, landing - roll

## Analysis

The student pilot, on his second solo, said that he encountered a downdraft, and landed hard.  He said that the airplane bounced into the air and then landed hard a second time.  Then the airplane oscillated back and forth in a porpoise like fashion.  Subsequently the nose wheel landing gear was broken off, and the firewall was buckled.

## Factual narrative

On June 18, 2000, at 1110 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 172N, N738WE, was substantially damaged following a loss of control during landing at Double Eagle II Airport, Albuquerque, New Mexico.  The student pilot, the sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured.  The airplane was being operated by West Mesa Aviation, Albuquerque, New Mexico.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local instructional flight that originated approximately 15 minutes before the accident.  No flight plan had been filed.

The student pilot, on his second solo, said that he encountered a downdraft, and landed hard.  He said that the airplane bounced into the air and then landed hard a second time.  Then the airplane oscillated back and forth in a porpoise like fashion.  Subsequently the nose wheel landing gear was broken off, and the firewall was buckled.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N738WE](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N738WE), registered now, S/N 17270288, built 1978 (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: 17270288
- Airframe hours: 4104
- Engines: Lycoming O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Aero Meridian Corp
- Registered owner: Aero Meridian Corp
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, May 24, 2000, 33 hours before
- Departed: AEG, Abuquerque, NM
- Airport: AEG, Double Eagle II Airport, runway 22, 7,398 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; injuries: none; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 47 total, 47 in this make and model, 1 as pilot in command, 17 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 30.22 inHg
- Observed at: AEG

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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