# NTSB GAA17CA372: Cessna 172RG, N5424V, El Cajon, CA, June 20, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 20, 2017, 14:15 local (21:15 UTC) - Place: El Cajon, CA - Coordinates: 32.82611, -116.972503 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.8261&lon=-116.9725&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Landing gear not configured](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 17, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA/ FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 95447 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA372 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/95447/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95447 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA372 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to extend the landing gear with sufficient time to allow the landing gear to fully extend and the flight instructor's failure to visually check to see if the right main landing gear were extended. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Action: delayed action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Student/instructed pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172RG, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md?model=2072438), [All aircraft, 894 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: identification/recognition](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Student/instructed pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172RG, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510/cases.md?model=2072438), [All aircraft, 559 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510/cases.md) - [Landing gear system: gear extension and retract sys](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023230): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172RG, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023230/cases.md?model=2072438), [All aircraft, 416 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023230/cases.md) - [Action: forgotten action/omission](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172RG, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035/cases.md?model=2072438), [All aircraft, 440 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035/cases.md) - [Attention/monitoring: monitoring equip/instruments](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021525): Personnel issues › Psychological · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172RG, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021525/cases.md?model=2072438), [All aircraft, 142 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021525/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Landing gear not configured](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172RG, 15 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095/sequence.md?model=2072438), [All aircraft, 584 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090); cases with it: [Cessna 172RG, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=2072438), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Cessna 172RG, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=2072438), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) ## Analysis The flight instructor reported that, during a stage check for the commercial pilot training course, the private pilot student completed the "G.U.M.P. [gas, undercarriage, mixture, propeller] check" on downwind in the traffic pattern. He added that, before the turn to the base leg, "everything was normal, and the gear was selected down by the student." He added that he observed three green landing gear extended indication lights illuminated. He further added that, after a normal landing touchdown, when the airplane slowed to 40 knots in the ground roll, the right main landing gear collapsed, and the airplane veered off the runway to the right. He reported that he did not visually check to see if the right main landing gear were extended. The private pilot reported that, "on downwind we followed the G.U.M.P. checklist and verified that the landing gear were down. My instructor checked the right [main landing gear] and I checked the left [main landing gear]." He added that, on base, he "checked the landing lights with green [lights]." He further added that, after a normal touchdown, the right main landing gear collapsed, and the airplane veered off the runway to the right. The right elevator sustained substantial damage. The Federal Aviation Administration Aviation Safety Inspector performed a functional test of the airplane's landing gear system 1 day after the accident. The inspector observed the landing gear retracting, extending, and locking down into place "several times." He added that, during two gear extension cycles, he "simulated an air load on the right main landing gear by pulling back on it as it extended; the gear extended and locked down properly without discrepancies." According to a commercial pilot witness, while he was driving a car along an airport perimeter road, he had a "head-on-view of the aircraft landing." He added that he observed a "red and white C172RG" airplane on final approach that "appeared to not have the gear down." He added that he stopped his car and continued to watch the airplane, and as it passed off to his right, he observed the "front wheel" down and both main landing gear "hanging." He subsequently observed the airplane touch down on the left main landing gear first and then skid off the runway to the right. It is likely that the landing gear selector was moved to the "down" position on short final approach, which did not allow sufficient time for the right main landing gear to fully extend and lock into place. ## Factual narrative The flight instructor reported that, during a stage check for the commercial pilot training course, the private pilot student completed the "G.U.M.P. [gas, undercarriage, mixture, propeller] check" on downwind in the traffic pattern. He added that, before the turn to the base leg, "everything was normal, and the gear was selected down by the student." He added that he observed three green landing gear extended indication lights illuminated. He further added that, after a normal landing touchdown, when the airplane slowed to 40 knots in the ground roll, the right main landing gear collapsed, and the airplane veered off the runway to the right. He reported that he did not visually check the right main landing gear to see if it was extended. The private pilot reported that, "on downwind we followed the G.U.M.P.S checklist and verified the landing gear was down. My instructor checked the right [main landing gear] and I checked the left [main landing gear]." He added that, on base he "checked the landing lights with green [lights]." He further added that after a normal landing touchdown, the right main landing gear collapsed, and the airplane veered off the runway to the right. The right elevator sustained substantial damage. The Federal Aviation Administration Aviation Safety Inspector assigned to the accident performed a functional test of the accident airplane's landing gear system one day after the accident. The inspector observed the landing gear retracting, extending, and locking down into place "several times." He added that during two gear extension cycles, he "simulated an air load on the right main landing gear by pulling back on it as it extended; the gear extended and locked down properly without discrepancies." According to a commercial pilot witness, while he was driving a car along an airport perimeter road, he had a "head-on-view of the aircraft landing." He added that, he observed a "red and white C172RG" airplane on final approach that "appeared to not have the gear down." He added that, he stopped his car and continued to watch the airplane, and as it passed off to his right, he observed the "front wheel" down and both main landing gear were "hanging." He subsequently observed the airplane touch down on the left main landing gear first, and then skid off the runway to the right. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5424V](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5424V), registered now, S/N 172RG0528, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172RG - Registry model: [Cessna 172RG](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172rg) (registry code 2072438) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-360-A1D](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-360-a1d) (registry code 41504, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 172RG0528 - Year built: 1980 - Airframe hours: 12652 - Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1A6 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: California Flight Academy - Registered owner: Sorbi Aviation Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, April 27, 2017 - Departed: SEE, El Cajon, CA - Destination: SEE, El Cajon, CA - Airport: SEE, Gillespie Field, runway 27R, 5,342 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 22; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 238 total, 28 in this make and model, 117 as pilot in command, 48 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days, 1.6 in the last 24 hours - Flight instructor; age 51; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review March 27, 2016; seat: right; flight hours: 6,800 total, 700 in this make and model, 5,000 as pilot in command, 320 in the last 90 days, 100 in the last 30 days, 9 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 290° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 93 °F, dew point 59 °F - Altimeter: 29.79 inHg - Observed at: KSEE ## 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 20170620021749A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170620021749A), Jun 20, 2017: Cessna 172RG, El Cajon, CA, Substantial damage. Shortly after touchdown, the right landing gear collapsed on roll-out. The flying pilot (left seat) was receiving flight instruction for a commercial rating… ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 18, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95447. 4.2 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40456213&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - FAA Inspector Statement (item 2, .PDF, 224 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40456214&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%20Statement-Master.PDF - Record of Conversation (Flight Instructor) (item 3, .PDF, 64 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40456215&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20(Flight%20Instructor)-Master.PDF - Witness Statement (item 4, .PDF, 137 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40456216&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Statement-Master.PDF - Accident Photos (Courtesy of FAA) (item 5, .PDF, 3 photos, 217 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40456217&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photos%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-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.