# NTSB LAX03CA288: Cessna 172M, N73179, Tucson, AZ, September 14, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 14, 2003, 12:38 local (19:38 UTC) - Place: Tucson, AZ - Coordinates: 32.123332, -110.947776 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.1233&lon=-110.9478&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 30, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 57936 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX03CA288 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/57936/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX03CA288 ## Probable cause the pilot's improper flare. A contributing factor was the tailwind. ## 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) - weather condition - tailwind - Nose gear collapsed, landing ## Analysis The pilot made a hard landing and the nose landing gear collapsed. On final, the airspeed decreased and a high sink rate developed about 5 feet above the runway surface. The pilot applied power but the airplane impacted the runway. He attempted a go-around and increased power. As the airplane established a slight climb, he partially retracted the flaps. The airplane came back down and collided with the runway. The nose gear collapsed and the airplane skidded on its nose. The pilot felt the accident was the result of the airplane being at too slow of airspeed on final and his delayed reaction. The METAR reported winds from 330 degrees at 4 knots; the pilot was landing runway 11R. ## Factual narrative On September 14, 2003, at 1238 mountain standard time, a Cessna 172M, N73179, made a hard landing and collapsed the nose landing gear at Tucson International Airport (TUS), Tucson, Arizona. Arizona Aero Tech was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The private pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured; the airplane sustained substantial damage. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan had not been filed. The pilot reported in a written statement that he was practicing touch-and-go takeoffs and landings on runway 11R. He recalled the automated terminal information service (ATIS) was reporting winds from 180 at 4 knots. The takeoff was uneventful. He turned onto final and noted he was slightly below a normal glide path, as indicated by the precision approach path indicator lights (PAPI). He leveled out to correct and continued on final, with the flaps extended to a 40-degree setting. Approximately 5 feet above the runway, the pilot felt a higher than normal sink rate. He applied full power; however, the airplane contacted the runway and bounced. He increased power in a go-around attempt, and the airplane drifted to the left side of the runway. It gained altitude and he retracted "a little bit" of the flaps. The airplane then impacted the ground. The pilot reported flying about 2 hours in the past 90 days preceding the accident. In a phone conversation, the pilot reported to the Safety Board investigator-in-charge (IIC) that after making the final impact with the runway, the nose gear collapsed and the airplane skidded on its nose. He felt the accident was the result of the airplane being at too slow of airspeed on final and his delayed reaction. A routine aviation weather report (METAR) was issued at 1235. It reported winds from a magnetic bearing of 330 degrees at 4 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N73179](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N73179), registered now, S/N 17267306 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172M - Registry model: [Cessna 172M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172m) (registry code 2072418) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17267306 - Engines: Lycoming O320-E2D reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Timothy Amalong - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: KTUS, Tucson, AZ - Airport: TUS, Tucson International, runway 11R ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 18; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3; flight hours: 122 total, 77 in this make and model, 2 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 130° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 37 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: KTUS ## 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 20030914026889A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030914026889A), Sep 14, 2003: Cessna 172M, Tucson, AZ, Destroyed. (-23) Pilot stated that he was practicing touch and go landings at Tucson, Arizona when he made a hard landing and attempted a go-around. The aircraft drifted… 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.