# NTSB FTW93LA021: Cessna 177B, N13710, Las Cruces, NM, October 22, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 21, 1992, 21:30 local (Oct 22, 1992, 03:30 UTC)
- Place: Las Cruces, NM
- Coordinates: 32.220054, -106.990036 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.2201&lon=-106.9900&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 30, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18604
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW93LA021
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18604/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW93LA021

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S DELAYED LANDING FLARE AND THE IMPROPER BOUNCED LANDING RECOVERY. A FACTOR WAS THE DARK NIGHT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - flare - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
  - porpoise/pilot-induced oscillation - encountered, pilot in command
  - recovery from bounced landing - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)

## Analysis

A PILOT ENTERED THE TRAFFIC PATTERN TO COMPLETE THREE NIGHT LANDINGS PRIOR TO CARRYING A PASSENGER ON A NIGHT CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT. WHILE EXECUTING A NORMAL APPROACH WITH THE AID OF THE VASI, THE AIRPLANE LANDED HARD, BOUNCED AND PORPOISED 3 OR 4 TIMES PRIOR TO COMING TO A STOP AT THE EDGE OF THE RUNWAY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N13710](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N13710), registered now, S/N 17702456, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 177B
- Registry model: [Cessna 177B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-177b) (registry code 2073708) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17702456
- Airframe hours: 2411
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1F6D 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Neill, Dixie Lee
- Registered owner: Neill, Dixie Lee
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 1, 1992, 80 hours before
- Departed: LRU
- Destination: LRU
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: LRU, Las Cruces Municipal, runway 26, 6,073 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 282 total, 132 in this make and model, 200 as pilot in command, 18 in the last 90 days, 14 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19921021043119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19921021043119A), Oct 21, 1992: Cessna 177B, Las Cruces, NM, Substantial damage. Failed to flare on night landing. Impacted nose first bounced and porpoised. Bent nose gear firewall and propeller.

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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