# NTSB LAX00LA299: Cessna 172M, N4312R, Oakland, CA, July 27, 2000

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 27, 2000, 15:30 local (22:30 UTC)
- Place: Oakland, CA
- Coordinates: 37.730792, -122.199562 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.7308&lon=-122.1996&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 25, 2003
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 49994
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX00LA299
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/49994/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX00LA299

## Probable cause

The pilot's improper landing flare.

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - flare - improper, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

The pilot said he was a little fast and did not keep the airplane off the runway long enough to bleed off the airspeed.  The touchdown was flat and the airplane porpoised, damaging the nose gear and firewall.

## Factual narrative

On July 27, 2000, at 1530 hours Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 172M, N4312R, porpoised on landing at the Oakland International Airport, Oakland, California.  During the sequence, the airplane sustained substantial damage to the firewall and other structural members.  The private pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured.  The airplane was operated under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 of the Federal Aviation Regulations by the Alameda Aero Club and rented by the pilot for a local area personal flight.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed.  The flight departed the Oakland airport at 1430.  The accident was reported to the Safety Board on August 14 following determination of the damage.

In his written statement, the pilot said he was a little fast and did not keep the airplane off the runway long enough to bleed off the airspeed.  The touchdown was flat and the airplane porpoised, damaging the nose gear and firewall.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4312R](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4312R), registered now, S/N 17263065, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Cessna 172M
- Registry model: [Cessna 172M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172m) (registry code 2072418) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17263065
- Airframe hours: 8416
- Engines: Lycoming O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Alameda Aero Club
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 18, 2000, 12 hours before
- Departed: OAK
- Airport: OAK, Metro Oakland Intl, runway 27R, 5,453 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 188 total, 57 in this make and model, 61 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 136 °F, dew point 131 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: OAK

## 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 20000727009999A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000727009999A), Jul 27, 2000: Cessna 172M, Oakland, CA, No damage. (-23) Pilot said he made a bad landing. First he bounced, then he came down hard on the nose gear, breaking the nose gear fork and striking the prop. Later…

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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