# NTSB DEN84LA243: Cessna 172, N52938, Santa Fe, NM, July 28, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 28, 1984, 11:06 local (17:06 UTC)
- Place: Santa Fe, NM
- Coordinates: 35.739963, -105.859825 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.7400&lon=-105.8598&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 3 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16448
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN84LA243
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16448/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN84LA243

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - planned approach - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - excessive, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - altitude - excessive, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - go-around - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - flare - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - aborted landing - initiated, pilot in command
- Loss of control - in flight, landing
  - rudder - not used, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, landing
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing
  - terrain condition - ground (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT BOUNCED SEVERAL TIMES ON LANDING FOLLOWING AN EXCESSIVELY HIGH FAST APPROACH. THE PLT ADDED POWER TO RECOVER BY ABORTING THE LANDING. THE PLT STATED THE FAILURE TO USE RIGHT RUDDER RESULTED IN THE ACFT VEERING TO THE LEFT AND THE FAILURE TO RETRACT FLAPS PREVENTED THE ACFT FROM CLIMBING HIGHER THAN SEVERAL FT AGL. THE PLT ALSO FAILED TO REMOVE CARBURETOR HEAT. THE ACFT CONTACTED SEVERAL SMALL TREES ALONGSIDE THE RWY FOLLOWED BY THE TERRAIN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N52938](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N52938-1985-03-27), registration cancelled 1985-03-27, S/N 17274640 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- Registry model: [Cessna 172P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172p) (registry code 2072436) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17274640
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D2J 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Post Aviation
- Registered owner: Richard Jones
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Airport: SAF, Santa Fe Co, runway 33, 6,297 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 104 total, 4 in this make and model, 73 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 340° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SAF

## 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 19840728035809A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840728035809A), Jul 28, 1984: Cessna 172P, Santa Fe, NM, Substantial damage. Too high and fast porpoised on landing tried to go around with flaps down and carb heat on. Unable to climb.

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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