# NTSB FTW00LA049: Cessna 172, N8250U, Fort Worth, TX, December 18, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: December 18, 1999, 17:00 local (23:00 UTC) - Place: Fort Worth, TX - Coordinates: 32.779937, -97.180267 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.7799&lon=-97.1803&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 2, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 48359 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW00LA049 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/48359/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW00LA049 ## Probable cause The student pilot's improper flare and improper recovery from a bounced landing, which resulted in a porpoise. ## 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) - recovery from bounced landing - improper, pilot in command (cause) - porpoise/pilot-induced oscillation - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause) - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - flare/touchdown ## Analysis While performing a touch-and-go landing, the solo student pilot allowed the airplane to touch down nose wheel first, and the airplane porpoised. Subsequently, the airplane bounced a second time, departed the runway, struck the right wing against the ground, and spun around before coming to rest against bushes. The student pilot was endorsed for the solo flight. He had a total flight time of 59.5 hours, of which 42.5 hours were in the accident make and model of aircraft. ## Factual narrative On December 18, 1999, at 1700 central standard time, a Cessna 172 single engine airplane, N8250U, sustained substantial damage during a hard landing at Hicks Airfield near Fort Worth, Texas. The airplane was owned and operated by Pro Aircraft, Fort Worth, Texas, under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The student pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local solo flight, and a flight plan was not filed. The aircraft departed Hicks Airfield and was performing the first of a planned series of touch-and-go landings. On the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) the operator reported that the pilot "did not flare." He further reported that the airplane "struck nose wheel first, [and] bounced (porpoised)." Subsequently, the airplane bounced a second time and the student pilot "lost control." The aircraft departed the runway, struck the ground with the right wing tip, spun around, and came to rest among bushes on the southwest side of the runway. The main spar and ribs were damaged on both wings. One propeller blade was damaged. The student pilot was endorsed for the solo flight. He had a total flight time of 59.5 hours, of which 42.5 hours were in the accident make and model of aircraft. The FAA inspector, who examined the aircraft, reported that the airplane departed runway 32 to the left side and impacted trees. The aircraft received structural damage to both wings and the right aileron. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8250U](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8250U), registered now, S/N 17252150 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172 - Registry model: [Cessna 172F](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172f) (registry code 2072414) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17252150 - Airframe hours: 4185 - Engines: Continental O-300-D 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Pro Aircraft - Registered owner: Louis A. Rainone - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, October 1, 1999, 30 hours before - Departed: T67 - Airport: T67, Hicks Airfield, runway 32, 3,740 × 60 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 30; student; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 60 total, 42 in this make and model, 7 as pilot in command, 42 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 52 °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 19991218042239A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19991218042239A), Dec 18, 1999: Cessna 172F, Fort Worth, TX, Substantial damage. (.4) While performing a touch-and-go landing, the solo student pilot allowed the airplane to touch down nose wheel first, and the airplane porpoised.… 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.