# NTSB FTW99LA269: Cessna 172N, N5374J, Longview, TX, September 27, 1999

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 27, 1999, 11:00 local (16:00 UTC)
- Place: Longview, TX
- Coordinates: 32.510372, -94.760612 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.5104&lon=-94.7606&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 30, 2000
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 47459
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW99LA269
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/47459/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW99LA269

## Probable cause

The pilot's improper touchdown technique, which resulted in the airplane porpoising.

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - touchdown - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - porpoise/pilot-induced oscillation - encountered, pilot in command
- Nose gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

The pilot allowed the airplane to touchdown on the nose landing gear.  The airplane porpoised, and the nose landing gear collapsed, buckling the firewall.

## Factual narrative

On September 27, 1999, approximately 1100 central daylight time, a Cessna 172N airplane, N5374J, was substantially damaged during a hard landing at the Gregg County Airport near Longview, Texas.  The private pilot, who was the owner and operator of the airplane, and his passenger were not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.  The cross-country flight originated from Memphis, Tennessee, with a final destination of San Antonio, Texas.

In the enclosed Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2), the pilot stated that he was landing on runway 13 and "touched down on the nose wheel first which caused the airplane to porpoise."  The nose landing gear collapsed, buckling the firewall.  The propeller and engine also sustained damage.

At 1050, the Gregg County Airport weather observation facility reported the wind from 190 degrees at 10 knots.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5374J](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5374J), registered now, S/N 17273767, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Cessna 172N
- Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17273767
- Airframe hours: 2287
- Engines: Lycoming O-360-A4M 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Joseph Russell
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 16, 1998, 133 hours before
- Departed: MEM, MEMPHIS, TN
- Destination: GGG, LONGVIEW, TX
- Airport: GGG, Gregg County, runway 13, 10,000 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 122 total, 113 in this make and model, 83 as pilot in command, 37 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 190° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: GGG

## 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 19990927043049A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990927043049A), Sep 27, 1999: Cessna 172N, Longview, TX, No damage. (-23) On September 27, 1999, approx. 1100 CDT, Cessna 172N airplane, N5374J, was substantially damaged during a hard landing at Gregg County Airport (ggg) near…

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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