# NTSB GAA16CA048: Cessna 172, N1107G, Mesa, AZ, November 7, 2015 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: November 7, 2015, 14:30 local (21:30 UTC) - Place: Mesa, AZ - Coordinates: 33.45639, -111.733329 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.4564&lon=-111.7333&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 5, 2016 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA Scottsdale FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 92328 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA16CA048 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/92328/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92328 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA048 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain pitch control during landing, resulting in a porpoise, and firewall damage. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172S, 206 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072439), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: pitch control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172S, 26 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022/cases.md?model=2072439), [All aircraft, 526 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172S, 77 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=2072439), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) - [Landing-aborted after touchdown: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Cessna 172S, 22 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=2072439), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) ## Analysis A flight instructor, who witnessed the landing sequence, reported that upon touchdown, the airplane porpoised three times. He reported that the pilot aborted the landing, the airplane climbed to approximately 50 feet above ground level, and then the airplane landed on the remaining runway without further incident. The Federal Aviation Administration aviation safety inspector, who spoke with the pilot, stated that the pilot reported that the airplane was "not stable" during the approach and that he should have aborted the landing. The pilot also reported that the crosswind condition "complicated his final approach," which was "too high." The airplane landed hard, resulting in substantial damage to the firewall. ## Factual narrative A certificated flight instructor, who witnessed the landing sequence, reported that upon touchdown, the airplane porpoised three times. He reported that the pilot aborted the landing, the airplane climbed to approximately 50 feet above ground level, and then the airplane landed on the remaining runway without further incident. The Federal Aviation Administration aviation safety inspector, who spoke with the pilot, stated that the pilot reported that the airplane was "not stable" during the approach and that he should have aborted the landing. The pilot also reported that the crosswind condition "complicated his final approach," which was "too high." The airplane landed hard, resulting in substantial damage to the firewall. The pilot did not make a statement to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge during a telephone interview. The pilot did submit a NTSB Form 6120.1 Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident/Incident Report, but with no narrative of the accident. The pilot did not report any pre-impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1107G](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1107G), registered now, S/N 172S10303, built 2006 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172 (S) - Registry model: [Cessna 172S](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172s) (registry code 2072439) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-360-L2A](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-360-l2a) (registry code 41597, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 172S10303 - Year built: 2006 - Airframe hours: 2837.3 - Engines: Lycoming IO-360-L2A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Falcon Executive Aviation Inc. - Registered owner: Falcon Executive Aviation Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, October 2, 2015 - Departed: FFZ, Mesa, AZ - Destination: FFZ, Mesa, AZ - Airport: FFZ, Falcon Fld, runway 04R, 5,101 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Stall warning system, Electronic primary flight display, Electronic multifunction display, Auto-pilot ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 68; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review November 6, 2015; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 398 total, 350 in this make and model, 2 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 10° at 8 knots - Visibility: 40 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 30 °F - Altimeter: 29.97 inHg - Observed at: KFFZ, 1 nm away ## 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 20151107022979A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20151107022979A), Nov 7, 2015: Cessna 172S, Mesa, AZ, Substantial damage. On 11/7/2015, at 2125Z, a Cessna 172S, N1107G, owned by falcon executive aviation, sustained damage during landing on 4R at ffz. VFR conditions prevailed and… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 10, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92328. 4.7 MB in all. - Pilot Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40437595&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 2, .PDF, 2.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40437596&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Operator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photograph (Courtesy of FAA) (item 3, .PDF, 285 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40437597&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photograph%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF - Witness Statement (item 4, .PDF, 162 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40437598&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Statement-Master.PDF 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.