# NTSB FTW98LA116: Cessna 172, N6926A, Laramie, WY, January 30, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: January 30, 1998, 08:35 local (15:35 UTC) - Place: Laramie, WY - Coordinates: 41.310459, -105.579444 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.3105&lon=-105.5794&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 4, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 20530 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW98LA116 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20530/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW98LA116 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper flare and subsequent improper go-around in that he failed to use compensating elevator control, and his loss of directional control. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown - flare - improper, pilot in command (cause) - go-around - improper, pilot in command (cause) - elevator - not used, pilot in command (cause) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The pilot had made one touch-and-go landing, and was making a second approach. He flared too high above the ground and added power to cushion the landing. He failed to hold compensating elevator control and the nose pitched up. He applied full power to abort the landing and the nose rose even further. The airplane started 'a moderate left turn' and the pilot corrected to parallel the runway, maintaining 'a very steep angle of attack.' He was able to land the airplane and taxied back to the maintenance hangar. Postaccident inspection disclosed the right wing tip and lower portion of the rudder were damaged. ## Factual narrative On January 30, 1998, approximately 0835 mountain standard time, a Cessna 172, N6926A, owned and operated by the pilot, was substantially damaged when it collided with terrain while landing at Laramie, Wyoming. The student pilot, the only occupant aboard, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the instructional flight conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The flight originated approximately 0820. The following is based on a telephone interview with the pilot, and the written aircraft accident report he submitted. The pilot had made one touch and go landing, and was approaching runway 21 for a second touch and go landing. He flared too high above the ground and added power to cushion the landing. He failed to hold compensating elevator control and the nose pitched up. He applied full power to abort the landing and the nose rose even further. The airplane started "a moderate left turn" and the pilot corrected to parallel the runway, maintaining "a very steep angle of attack." He was able to land the airplane and taxied back to the maintenance hangar. Postaccident inspection disclosed the right wing tip and lower portion of the rudder were damaged. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6926A](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6926A), registered now, S/N 29026 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172 - Registry model: [Cessna 172](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172) (registry code 2072402) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 29026 - Airframe hours: 3704 - Engines: Continental O-300-A 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Wesley R. & Lurlen Bressler - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility - Last inspection: Annual, June 27, 1997, 40 hours before - Departed: LAR - Airport: LAR, Laramie Regional, runway 21, 7,700 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 59; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 45 total, 45 in this make and model, 12 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 100° at 4 knots - Visibility: 50 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 27 °F, dew point 14 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: LAR ## 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 19980130002769A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980130002769A), Jan 30, 1998: Cessna 172, Laramie, WY, Substantial damage. (-23) On approach for landing, the pilot rounded out too high. The aircraft stalled, struck the ground, and veered left off the runway. The right wing and… 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.