# NTSB FTW92LA091: Cessna 172P, N96493, West Helena, AR, March 16, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 16, 1992, 14:30 local (20:30 UTC)
- Place: West Helena, AR
- Coordinates: 34.539161, -90.640922 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.5392&lon=-90.6409&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 23, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18461
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW92LA091
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18461/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW92LA091

## Probable cause

PILOT'S IMPROPER FLAREA ND IMPROPER RECOVERY FROM A BOUNCED LANDING.

## 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
- Nose gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown
  - landing gear,nose gear - overload

## Analysis

DURING THE TURN FROM BASE TO FINAL THE PILOT OVERSHOT THE FINAL APPROACH COURSE. UPON CROSSING THE RUNWAY THRESHOLD THE AIRPLANE WAS TOO HIGH, HOWEVER, THE PILOT ALIGNED THE AIRPLANE WITH THE CENTERLINE AND REDUCED THE ENGINE POWER FOR THE LANDING FLARE. THE AIRPLANE IMPACTED THE RUNWAY HARD AND BOUNCED TWO CONSECUTIVE TIMES. DURING THE SECOND BOUNCE, THE NOSE GEAR COLLAPSED AND THE AIRPLANE CAME TO REST.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N96493](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N96493), registered now, S/N 17276080 (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: 17276080
- Airframe hours: 4922
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D2J 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Sharp Aviation, Inc.
- Registered owner: Sharp Aviation, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, February 6, 1992, 61 hours before
- Departed: JBR, JONESBORO, AR
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: HEE, Helena/West Helena, runway 17, 5,000 × 96 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 78 total, 7 in this make and model, 35 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: variable at 11 knots, gusting 18
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Temperature: 66 °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 19920316006609A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920316006609A), Mar 16, 1992: Cessna 172P, Helena/West Hel, AR, Substantial damage. Bounced and porpoised on gusty wind landing.

## Other investigations on N96493 (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 ERA26LA092](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA26LA092), Jan 9, 2026: Cessna 172P (N96493), Flemington, GA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s inadvertent manipulation of the mixture control, which resulted in a total loss of engine power during initial climb and a subsequent forced lading.

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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