# NTSB FTW98LA240: Cessna 172P, N52188, La Porte, TX, April 25, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 25, 1998, 17:15 local (22:15 UTC) - Place: La Porte, TX - Coordinates: 29.659542, -95.040405 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.6595&lon=-95.0404&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 8, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 20624 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW98LA240 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20624/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW98LA240 ## Probable cause The pilot's premature landing flare and improper recovery procedures from a bounced landing. A factor was the gusty winds. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) - flare - premature, pilot in command (cause) - porpoise/pilot-induced oscillation - encountered, pilot in command - recovery from bounced landing - improper, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The pilot had rented the airplane for the purpose of maintaining his flying proficiency. The pilot and his passenger planned on staying in the closed traffic pattern to perform touch-and-go landings. The pilot reported that he had completed four touch-and-go landings on runway 12 without incident. On the fifth landing, which the pilot intended to be a full stop landing, 'he flared too high and the airplane bounced following a firm landing.' During the recovery from the bounced landing, the airplane porpoised twice and touched down hard on the nose landing gear resulting in a blown nose gear tire. Suspecting damage to the nose landing gear, the pilot stated that he added power to abort the landing and come back for another attempt. The pilot successfully used the soft field landing technique on his subsequent landing. The winds at the time of the accident were reported from 140 degrees at 20 knots, gusting to 30 knots. ## Factual narrative On April 25, 1998, at 1715 central daylight time, a Cessna 172P airplane, N52188, was substantially damaged during a hard landing near La Porte, Texas. The non-instrument rated private pilot and his passenger were not injured. The airplane was operated by Harvey & Rihn Aviation Inc., of La Porte, Texas, under Title 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight for which a flight plan was not filed. The local flight originated from the La Porte Municipal Airport, approximately 35 minutes prior to the accident. The operator stated that the private pilot rented the airplane for the purpose of maintaining his flying proficiency. The pilot and his passenger planned on staying in the closed traffic pattern to perform touch and go landings. The pilot reported to the operator that he had completed four touch and go landings on runway 12 without incident. The pilot added that on the fifth landing, which he intended to be a full stop landing, "he flared too high and the airplane bounced following a firm landing." The 245 hour pilot added that during the recovery from the bounced landing, the airplane porpoised twice and touched down hard on the nose landing gear resulting in a blown nose gear tire. Suspecting damage to the nose landing gear, the pilot stated that he added power to abort the landing and came back for another attempt. The pilot successfully used the soft field landing technique on his subsequent landing. Examination of the airframe by the operator's maintenance personnel revealed that the lower portion of the bulkhead for the engine firewall sustained structural damage, the left lower portion of the windshield was broken, and the nose landing gear tire was flat. The passenger, who is also a private pilot, reported to the operator that at the time of the accident, he estimated that the winds were from 140 degrees at 20 knots, gusting to 30 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N52188](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N52188), registered now, S/N 17274430, built 1980 (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: 17274430 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-D2J 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Debby Rihn - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility - Last inspection: 100 hour, March 24, 1998, 42 hours before - Departed: T41 - Airport: T41, Laporte Municipal, runway 12, 4,171 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 56; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 245 total, 4 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 140° at 20 knots, gusting 30 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none 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.