# NTSB LAX03CA247: Cessna 172N, N73857, Livermore, CA, July 20, 2003

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: July 20, 2003, 12:30 local (19:30 UTC)
- Place: Livermore, CA
- Coordinates: 37.693332, -121.820274
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.6933&lon=-121.8203&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 25, 2003
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: FAA FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 57581
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX03CA247
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/57581/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX03CA247

## Probable cause

The pilot's misjudged landing flare, which resulted in a porpoise pilot induced oscillation and hard landing.

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - flare - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - porpoise/pilot-induced oscillation - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

During a landing attempt the airplane porpoised on touchdown and bounced at least two times.  The pilot performed a go-around and landed uneventfully on the second attempt.

## Factual narrative

On July 20, 2003, at 1230 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 172N, N73857, experienced a hard landing at Livermore Airport, California.  The airplane was registered to and operated by Flying Particles, Inc., a flying club in Livermore, under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91.  The private pilot was not injured, and the airplane was substantially damaged.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a visual flight plan had not been filed.  The personal flight originated from the Fresno-Chandler Downtown Airport about 1130.

The pilot stated in the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120 1/2), that she bounced the airplane two times while attempting to land on runway 25R.  She described the bounces as a "porpoise."  The pilot then executed a go-around and on the second approach she landed uneventfully.  The winds at Livermore were recorded as variable at 3 knots.

A mechanic inspected the airplane and reported to the NTSB Investigator-in-Charge (IIC) that the engine firewall was damaged and a section of fuselage skin behind the firewall on the  left side was wrinkled.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N73857](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N73857-2013-07-16), registration cancelled 2013-07-16, S/N 17267725, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Cessna 172N
- Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17267725
- Engines: Lycoming O-320-D2C7 reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Flying Particles, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: KFCH, Fresno, CA
- Destination: KLVK, Livermore, CA
- Airport: LVK, Livermore, CA, runway 25R

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 374 total, 74 in this make and model, 20 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 93 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 29.92 inHg
- Observed at: LVK

## 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 20030720018869A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030720018869A), Jul 20, 2003: Cessna 172N, Livermore, CA, Substantial damage. (-23) On July 20, 2003, at approximately 1230 PST, pilot yoon in attempting to land at lvk, experienced a hard landing, causing substantial damage to the…

## Other investigations on N73857 (2)

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 LAX84LA313](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX84LA313), May 22, 1984: Cessna 172N (N73857), Ballard, CA, minor damage
- [NTSB OAK78FVD05](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK78FVD05-139103), Nov 18, 1978: Cessna C172 (N73857), Petaluma, CA, substantial damage

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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