# NTSB FTW85LA164: Cessna 172M, N73616, Angola, LA, March 24, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 24, 1985, 08:40 local (14:40 UTC)
- Place: Angola, LA
- Coordinates: 30.960792, -91.600402 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.9608&lon=-91.6004&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21708
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW85LA164
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21708/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW85LA164

## Sequence of events

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

- Undershoot, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - planned approach - inaccurate, pilot in command (cause)
  - light condition - sunglare (contributing factor)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual/aural perception, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - descent - not corrected, pilot in command (cause)
  - flare - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT TOUCHED DOWN SHORT OF THE RWY FOLLOWING AN APPROACH TO LAND AFTER THE PLT HAD ACCOMPLISHED A X-COUNTRY FLT WITH A PASS'G ON BOARD. THE PLT STATED THAT HE BECAME MOMENTARILY DISORIENTED DUE TO HAZE & BRIGHT SUNLIGHT DURING THE APPROACH. DURING THIS SHORT PERIOD OF DISORIENTATION THE ACFT TOUCHED DOWN & NOSED OVER TO AN INVERTED POSITION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N73616](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N73616-2022-11-05), registration cancelled 2022-11-05, S/N 17267579, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172M
- Registry model: [Cessna 172M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172m) (registry code 2072418) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 172-67579
- Airframe hours: 4989
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Modern Flying Service, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: 9LA6, PINEVILLE, LA
- Airport: LA67, Angola, runway 30, 2,800 ×  ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 964 total, 410 in this make and model, 791 as pilot in command, 33 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Observed at: BTR, 38 nm away

## 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 19850324010979A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850324010979A), Mar 24, 1985: Cessna 172M, Angola, LA, Substantial damage. Landed short of sod runway and flipped over. Pilot claimed momentary disorientation due to the sun.

## Other investigations on N73616 (1)

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.

- [NTSB CHI82DA189](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI82DA189), May 28, 1982: Cessna 172 (N73616), Evansville, IN, substantial damage

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.