# NTSB FTW90LA026: Cessna 172K, N7337G, Fabens, TX, November 11, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 11, 1989, 12:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Fabens, TX
- Coordinates: 31.50045, -106.150947 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.5005&lon=-106.1509&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 29, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23075
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW90LA026
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23075/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW90LA026

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER FLARE DURING LANDING AND INADEQUATE RECOVERY FROM THE ENSUING BOUNCED LANDING.  THE UNFAVORABLE WIND WAS A RELATED FACTOR.

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - flare - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - recovery from bounced landing - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown
  - landing gear,nose gear - overload

## Analysis

THE ACFT TOUCHED DOWN & BOUNCED AFTER A NORMAL APCH.  AFTER THE INITIAL BOUNCE, IT VEERED LEFT & THE NOSE GEAR COLLAPSED.  THE PLT STATED THAT THE ARPT WAS ON A MESA & WAS SUBJECT TO 'SHARP AND CHANGING GUSTS OF WIND AT GROUND LEVEL.'

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7337G](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7337G), registered now, S/N 17259037, built 1970 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172K
- Registry model: [Cessna 172K](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172k) (registry code 2072430) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17259037
- Airframe hours: 3625
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: West Mesa Flying Assoc., Inc.
- Registered owner: West Mesa Flying Assoc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: 100 hour, September 13, 1989, 96 hours before
- Departed: LRU, LAS CRUSES, NM
- Destination: NONE
- Airport: NONE, Macguire, runway 23, 8,500 × 70 ft

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 65; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 187 total, 62 in this make and model, 80 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 190° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 70 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 25 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ELP, 15 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 19891111046599A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19891111046599A), Nov 11, 1989: Cessna 172K, Fabens, TX, Substantial damage. Bounced on landing, came down in a crabbed angle. Collapsed the nose gear and nosed over.

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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