# NTSB FTW87LA046: Cessna 172N, N4901G, Fort Worth, TX, January 21, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 21, 1987, 15:15 local (21:15 UTC)
- Place: Fort Worth, TX
- Coordinates: 32.820644, -97.360214 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.8206&lon=-97.3602&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 10, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22316
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW87LA046
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22316/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW87LA046

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - landing gear,nose gear assembly - pressure too low (cause)
  - maintenance,service of aircraft/equipment - not performed, company maintenance personnel (cause)
  - maintenance,inspection - inadequate, company maintenance personnel (contributing factor)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - approach light/navaid (cause)
- Nose gear collapsed, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE NOSE GEAR STRUT DEPRESSED MORE THAN NORMAL FOLLOWING WHAT THE STUDENT PLT THOUGHT WAS A NORMAL TOUCHDOWN AND THE ACFT VEERED OFF THE RWY. AS CONTROL WAS LOST, THE NOSE GEAR TIRE BLEW AND THE ACFT SUBSEQUENTLY STRUCK A VASI LIGHT COLLAPSING THE NOSE GEAR. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE NOSE GEAR STRUT WAS SERVICED TO 10 PSI INSTEAD OF THE MINIMUM OF 45 PSI THAT WAS REQUIRED BY THE ACFT MAINTENANCE MANUAL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4901G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4901G-2013-07-15), registration cancelled 2013-07-15, S/N 17273448 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172N
- 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: 17273448
- Airframe hours: 5741
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Ate Of Florida,Inc., doing business as American Flyers
- Registered owner: Ate Of Florida Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: AAIP, January 20, 1987, 6 hours before
- Departed: GLE, GAINSVILLE, TX
- Airport: FTW, Meacham, runway 16L, 7,500 × 150 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 31 total, 31 in this make and model, 3 as pilot in command, 28 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 340° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 25 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: FTW

## 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 19870121000909A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870121000909A), Jan 21, 1987: Cessna 172N, Fort Worth, TX, Substantial damage. The student lost control of the aircraft during a downwind landing. The nose gear strut was improperly serviced.

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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