# NTSB FTW92LA086: Cessna 172P, N54956, Harrison, AR, March 9, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 8, 1992, 23:37 local (Mar 9, 1992, 05:37 UTC)
- Place: Harrison, AR
- Coordinates: 36.239208, -93.109268 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.2392&lon=-93.1093&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report June 11, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18456
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW92LA086
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18456/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW92LA086

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO ATTAIN THE PROPER TOUCHDOWN POINT, AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN THE PROPER DESCENT RATE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Undershoot, landing
  - light condition - dark night
  - proper touchdown point - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stolen aircraft/unauthorized use - performed, pilot in command
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - proper descent rate - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - landing gear,nose gear - collapsed
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

UNAUTHORIZED PERSON(S) ENTERED A FBO AT APPROXIMATELY 2300 AND TOOK THE KEYS TO A CESSNA 172P. UPON RETURN TO THE AIRPORT, THE AIRPLANE LANDED HARD, APPROXIMATELY 90 FEET SHORT OF THE RUNWAY THRESHOLD, CAUSING THE NOSE WHEEL TO COLLAPSE. THE FORKS OF THE COLLAPSED NOSE GEAR DUG INTO THE GROUND CAUSING THE AIRPLANE TO NOSE OVER ON ITS BACK. THE WRECKAGE WAS FOUND BY THE LOCAL POLICE AT 0025, AFTER THEY WERE ALERTED BY THE LOCAL FSS OF AN ACTIVATED ELT. THE OCCUPANTS OF THE AIRPLANE DEPARTED ON FOOT. SEVERAL OPEN AND UNOPENED CANS OF BEER WERE FOUND IN THE AIRPLANE. THE OCCUPANTS WERE NEVER IDENTIFIED. EVIDENCE INDICATED AT LEAST MINOR INJURY TO ONE OR MORE OCCUPANTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N54956](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N54956), registered now, S/N 17275090, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172P
- 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: 17275090
- Airframe hours: 3786
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Registered owner: Gene Lair
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 29, 1992, 1 hours before
- Airport: HRO, Boone County, runway 36, 6,161 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; medical: unknown, unknown

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 120° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: HRO, 1 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 19920308007489A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920308007489A), Mar 8, 1992: Cessna 172P, Harrison, AR, Substantial damage. Unknown party stole aircraft for joy ride. Overturned on impact short of runway on return. Beer cans in aircraft.

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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