# NTSB FTW96LA362: Cessna 172H, N3782F, Durango, CO, August 24, 1996

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 24, 1996, 11:10 local (17:10 UTC)
- Place: Durango, CO
- Coordinates: 37.270832, -107.880012 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.2708&lon=-107.8800&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 23, 1996
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 19959
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW96LA362
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19959/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW96LA362

## Probable cause

the pilot's improper flaring of the airplane at too high an altitude, resulting in a hard 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)

## Analysis

The pilot said UNICOM reported the winds as 'light and variable at 4 knots' and she elected to land on runway 02.  She deployed full flaps and slowed to 70 mph.  As the airplane crossed over the runway threshold, she closed the throttle and flared for landing.  The airplane landed hard and bounced.  The pilot said she suspected she flared too high.

## Factual narrative

On August 24, 1996, approximately 1110 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 172H, N3782F, was substantially damaged during landing at Durango, Colorado.  The private pilot and private pilot rated-passenger were not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a VFR flight plan had been filed for the personal flight conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 91.  The flight originated at Scottsdale, Arizona, on August 24, 1996, approximately 0650 mountain standard time.

According to the pilot, Durango UNICOM reported the winds as "light and variable at 4 knots," and she was given the option of landing on either runway 02 or 20.  She elected to land on runway 02.  The pilot said that when she was on final approach, she deployed full flaps and slowed to 70 mph.  As the airplane crossed over the runway threshold, she closed the throttle and flared for landing.  The pilot said, "Instead of gliding, aircraft abruptly dropped approximately 2-3 feet onto runway.  Aircraft bounced."   In a telephone interview, the pilot said she suspected she flared too high and the airplane landed hard.

Aircraft damage consisted of a buckled firewall, bent nose gear assembly, and buckled floorboards and associated skin damage.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3782F](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3782F), registered now, S/N 17255277, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Cessna 172H
- Registry model: [Cessna 172H](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172h) (registry code 2072424) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17255277
- Airframe hours: 2366
- Engines: Continental O-300-D 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Virginia L. Burton
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 2, 1996, 12 hours before
- Departed: SDL, SCOTTSDALE, AZ
- Destination: DRO
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: DRO, Durango-La Plata County, runway 2, 9,201 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 356 total, 204 in this make and model, 247 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: DRO

## 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 19960824025259A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960824025259A), Aug 24, 1996: Cessna 172H, Durango, CO, Substantial damage. Aircraft made a hard landing. (.4)the pilot said UNICOM reported the winds as 'light and variable at 4 knots' and she elected to land on runway 02. She…

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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