# NTSB LAX01LA150: Cessna 172P, N97984, Torrance, CA, April 19, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 19, 2001, 09:04 local (16:04 UTC) - Place: Torrance, CA - Coordinates: 33.800426, -118.349067 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8004&lon=-118.3491&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 30, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA, Long Beach Flight Standards District Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 52107 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX01LA150 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/52107/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX01LA150 ## Probable cause The failure of the pilot-in-command to execute a proper landing flare, which resulted in an improper touchdown attitude and a subsequent loss of directional control. A factor in the accident was the difference between landing characteristics of the Katana and the Cessna 172, and the resulting habit interference for the pilot. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll - flare - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - habit interference, pilot in command (contributing factor) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - plowed/furrowed - terrain condition - soft - Nose over, landing - roll ## Analysis During a touch-and-go landing, the aircraft veered off the runway, encountered soft terrain, and nosed over. No skid marks were found leading to the accident site. The tires were examined and no flat spots were observed. The airplane was uprighted and rolled to see if there was any resistance from the brakes. None was noted. The brakes were inspected and operated with no defects observed. The wind was calm at the time of the accident. The pilot received his private certificate on April 4, 2001, and had approximately 78 hours total time when the accident occurred. All of the pilot's primary flight training experience was accrued in the Katana DA-20 airplane. After obtaining his private pilot certificate, the pilot received 3.7 hours of flight instruction in the Cessna 172, and had logged an additional 2.4 hours of flight time prior to the accident. A flight instructor from the same flight school flew with the pilot in another Cessna 172 the day after the accident. He stated that the pilot had a tendency to land very flat, with no flare. The instructor was experienced in both the Katana DA-20 and the Cessna 172. He stated that the landing characteristics of the Katana require little or no flare by the pilot. In contrast, the Cessna 172 requires a considerable amount of flare to achieve a proper touchdown attitude. Since the pilot had received all of his primary training in a Katana, his tendency in any airplane would be to land it like a Katana. In the event of a nose first landing, the airplane will "wheel barrow" and can become nearly impossible to control. This landing condition can easily result in a rapid and uncontrollable change in direction on the runway. ## Factual narrative On April 19, 2001, at 0904 hours Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 172P, N97984, veered off runway 29 right and nosed over after encountering soft soil during a touch-and-go landing at Zamperini Field, Torrance, California. The airplane was operated by South Bay Aviation under 14 CFR Part 91, and was rented by the pilot. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed during the local flight, which departed Torrance approximately 0830. No flight plan was filed. The airplane was substantially damaged and there were no injuries to the pilot, who was the sole occupant of the airplane. The pilot stated that on his third landing, the airplane touched down, rolled a short distance, and then veered sharply to the right. Corrective actions could not stop the airplane from leaving the runway onto a plowed dirt boundary where it nosed over. According to the Torrance airport surface weather observation at 0855, the wind was calm. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector from the Long Beach, California, Flight Standards District Office responded to the scene, interviewed the pilot, and examined the airplane. The owner of the flight school examined the airplane and the runway. No skid marks were found leading to the accident site. The tires were examined and no flat spots were observed. The brakes were inspected and operated with no defects observed. The pilot received his private pilot certificate on April 4, 2001, and had approximately 78 hours total time when the accident occurred. The pilot had rented the Cessna 172 from the operator's flight school located on the Torrance airport. The pilot had received all of his primary training from this particular flight school, which consisted of 71 hours of flight time in Katana DA-20 airplanes. His private pilot flight evaluation, administered by an FAA designated pilot examiner, was also completed in a Katana DA-20. After obtaining his private pilot certificate, the pilot received 3.7 hours of flight instruction in the Cessna 172, and had logged an additional 2.4 hours of flight time prior to the accident. A flight instructor from the same flight school flew with the pilot in another Cessna 172 the day after the accident. He stated that the pilot had a tendency to land very flat, with no flare. The instructor was experienced in both the Katana DA-20 and the Cessna 172. He stated that the landing characteristics of the Katana require little or no flare by the pilot. In contrast, the Cessna 172 requires a considerable amount of flare to achieve a proper touchdown attitude. The instructor stated that, in general, the differences between a Katana and a Cessna are "night and day." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N97984](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N97984), registered now, S/N 17276244, built 1984 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172P - Registry model: [Cessna 172P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172p) (registry code 2072436) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17276244 - Airframe hours: 4792 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-D2J 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Richard Seals, doing business as South Bay Aviation - Registered owner: Chuck Smith - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility - Last inspection: Annual, November 15, 2000, 80 hours before - Departed: TOA, Torrance, CA - Destination: TOA, Torrance, CA - Airport: TOA, Torrance Municipal Airport, runway 29R, 5,000 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 50; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review April 4, 2001; seat: left; flight hours: 78 total, 7 in this make and model, 27 as pilot in command, 40 in the last 90 days, 16 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 30.39 inHg - Observed at: TOA ## 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 20010419008189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010419008189A), Apr 19, 2001: Cessna 172P, Torrance, CA, No damage. (-23)N97984, veered off runway 25 right and nosed over after encountering soft soil during a touch-and-go landing at the Torrance Municipal Airport, Torrance,… ## Other investigations on N97984 (3) 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. - [NTSB CHI92LA008](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI92LA008), Oct 17, 1991: Cessna 172P (N97984), Maple Lake, MN, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR AN UNDETERMINED REASON. - [NTSB MKC90LA043](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC90LA043), Jan 7, 1990: Cessna 172 (N97984), St Cloud, MN, substantial damage. Probable cause: INADEQUATE VISUAL OUTLOOK BY THE PILOT AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CLEARANCE FROM THE LIGHT POLE. THE LOCATION OF THE POLE WAS CONSIDERED TO BE A RELATED FACTOR. - [NTSB MKC89LA164](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC89LA164), Jul 23, 1989: Cessna 172 (N97984), Duluth, MN, substantial damage. Probable cause: AIRCRAFT CONTROL WAS NOT MAINTAINED BY THE PILOT IN COMMAND DUE TO IMPROPER USE OF THE AIRCRAFT FLIGHT CONTROLS. 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.