# NTSB LAX00LA305: Cessna 172, N2078E, Flagstaff, AZ, August 18, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 18, 2000, 09:13 local (16:13 UTC) - Place: Flagstaff, AZ - Coordinates: 35.229187, -111.719123 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.2292&lon=-111.7191&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 17, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 50041 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX00LA305 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/50041/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX00LA305 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper go-around procedure and his failure to maintain directional control on landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, go-around (vfr) - go-around - improper, pilot in command (cause) - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command (cause) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The 80-hour private pilot was on a personal cross-country flight in a Cessna 172N. He was landing at a 7,000 feet msl airport with a density altitude of 9,083 feet. During the landing touchdown, the airplane bounced and ballooned. The pilot added power to soften the landing, but the airplane ballooned further. At that point he decided to perform a go-around. He applied full power and started climbing. The stall warning was going off, so he reduced the angle of attack. He removed the first notch of flaps 'as directed by the balked landing procedure,' and the airplane started settling back down quickly. He put the flaps back down, but the descent was not stopped. About the same time, the airplane was hit by a wind gust from the right, pushing the plane left. He attempted to correct but was blown off the runway colliding with a runway length remaining sign and subsequently, a ditch. The wind was 220 degrees at 6 knots. The pilot reported he was number three to land and was on a long final with full flaps. He stated that there were no mechanical issues with the airplane. ## Factual narrative On August 18, 2000, about 0913 hours mountain standard time, a Cessna 172, N2078E, was substantially damaged during landing at Flagstaff, Arizona. The private pilot was not injured. The airplane was operated under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 by Glendale Aviation, Glendale, Arizona, and rented by the pilot for a local area personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated at Glendale on the morning of the accident about 0700. According to the Flagstaff Control Tower, the pilot was landing on runway 21 when directional control was lost and the airplane veered off the left side of the runway colliding with a 5,000-foot remaining marker sign. The winds were reported as 220 degrees at 6 knots and the density altitude was 9,083 feet. The 80-hour private pilot reported that during the landing touchdown on runway 21, the airplane bounced and ballooned. He added power to soften the landing, but the airplane ballooned further. At that point, the pilot decided to perform a go-around. He applied full power and started climbing. The stall warning was going off, so he reduced the angle of attack. He removed the first notch of flaps, as directed by the balked landing procedure, and the airplane started settling back down quickly. He put the flaps back down, but the descent was not stopped. About the same time, the airplane was hit by a wind gust from the right, pushing the plane left. The pilot attempted to correct but was blown off the runway, colliding with a runway length remaining sign and subsequently, a ditch. He reported that he was number three to land on a long final with full flaps. He stated that there were no mechanical issues with the airplane. According to the Cessna Pilot Operating Handbook: NORMAL PROCEDURES-BALKED LANDING. 1) Throttle-FULL OPEN. 2) Carburetor Heat-COLD. 3) Wing Flaps-20 degrees (immediately). 4) Climb Speed-55 KIAS. 5) Wing Flaps-10 degrees (until obstacles are cleared) RETRACT (after reaching a safe altitude and 60 KIAS. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2078E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2078E-2019-03-19), registration cancelled 2019-03-19, S/N 17271146, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172 - 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: 17271146 - Engines: Lycoming O-360 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Glendale Aviation - Registered owner: Howard A./Mary E. Faltz - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: GEU, GLENDALE, AZ - Destination: FLG, AZ - Airport: FLG, Pulliam, runway 21, 6,999 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 34; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 80 total, 35 in this make and model, 2 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 220° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 158 °F, dew point 131 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: FLG ## 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 20000818038639A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000818038639A), Aug 18, 2000: Cessna 172N, Flagstaff, AZ, Substantial damage. (-23)Pilot stated that he made a normal approach and after touch-down, ballooned slightly and added a small amount of power to correct. The a/c ballooned even… 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.