# NTSB DEN90LA090: Cessna 172, N64739, Ogallala, NE, April 7, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 7, 1990, 11:30 local (17:30 UTC)
- Place: Ogallala, NE
- Coordinates: 41.13029, -101.719291 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.1303&lon=-101.7193&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 28, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17916
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN90LA090
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17916/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN90LA090

## Probable cause

THE MISJUDGED LANDING FLARE. A FACTOR WAS THE PILOT'S LACK OF EXPERIENCE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - flare - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PILOT WAS LANDING AT A FUEL STOP DURING A SOLO CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT. HE SAID THAT THE PLANE FELL THE LAST FIVE FEET TO THE RUNWAY, RESULTING IN A HARD LANDING. HE VISUALLY INSPECTED THE PLANE, FOUND NO APPARENT DAMAGE, REFUELED AND FLEW BACK TO HIS HOME BASE. A POSTFLIGHT INSPECTION BY THE OPERATOR REVEALED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE; THE FIREWALL AND PROPELLER WERE BENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N64739](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N64739), registered now, S/N 17275616, built 1982 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- Registry model: [Cessna 172P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172p) (registry code 2072436) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17275616
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D2J 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: G.L. Smith
- Departed: A1A, ALLIANCE, NE
- Airport: OGA, Searle, runway 31, 3,700 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 75; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 50 total, 50 in this make and model, 15 as pilot in command, 14 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 330° at 17 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °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 19900407009069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900407009069A), Apr 7, 1990: Cessna 172P, Ogallala, NE, Substantial damage. Leveled off too high, dropped to a hard landing. Returned to base then it was discovered firewall and prop damaged.

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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