# NTSB LAX03LA117: Cessna 172P, N63788, Van Nuys, CA, March 23, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 23, 2003, 13:00 local (21:00 UTC) - Place: Van Nuys, CA - Coordinates: 34.216388, -118.494445 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.2164&lon=-118.4944&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report December 28, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 56689 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX03LA117 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/56689/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX03LA117 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to maintain directional control during an aborted landing. A contributing factor is the pilot's improper recovery from a bounced landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - aborted - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - recovery from bounced landing - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor) - On ground/water collision with object, landing - aborted - object - building(nonresidential) ## Analysis The airplane collided with a building during an aborted landing. While in the landing flare, the pilot noted that the airplane was in a slightly high flare attitude that resulted in a bounced landing. He initiated an aborted landing and lost directional control during the takeoff roll. The airplane veered to the left of the runway and became airborne. He attempted to regain directional control with right rudder and aileron control inputs. The airplane started a turn to the right, but not enough to avoid impacting a building. The pilot reported no pre-impact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane. ## Factual narrative On March 23, 2003, about 1300 Pacific standard time, a Cessna 172P, N63788, collided with a building during an aborted landing at the Van Nuys Airport, Van Nuys, California. A private individual borrowed the airplane and operated it under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The student pilot, the sole occupant, sustained serious injuries. The local instructional flight originated at Van Nuys about 1245. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan had not been filed. In a written statement, the student pilot reported that earlier in the day he had flown in the traffic pattern with his flight instructor for about an hour. Then, with his instructor's authorization, he flew solo. The student pilot indicated that he made two successful takeoffs and landings prior to the accident. The pilot reported that the third takeoff and traffic pattern were uneventful. While in the landing flare, he noted that the airplane was in a "slightly high flare." When the airplane touched down it bounced, and he initiated an aborted landing. On the takeoff roll, he lost directional control of the airplane and it veered to the left of the centerline "at 45 [degrees] or greater." At that point, the airplane had become airborne, but was only a few feet above the ground. The pilot input right rudder and right aileron in an attempt to regain control of the airplane and continue with the aborted landing. The airplane began to turn to the right, but "not sharply enough to avoid the buildings that parallel runway 16L." The airplane impacted the west-facing side of a cement wall of an industrial building. The pilot reported that there were no pre-impact mechanical malfunctions with the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N63788](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N63788-2011-07-23), registration cancelled 2011-07-23, S/N 17275483, built 1981 (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: 17275483 - Airframe hours: 12018 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-D3G 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Michael O'Connell - Registered owner: Christiansen Aviation Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, December 18, 2002, 58 hours before - Departed: VNY, VAN NUYS, CA - Destination: VNY, Van Nuys, CA - Airport: VNY, Van Nuys Airport, runway 16L, 4,011 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Student pilot; age 33; injuries: serious; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 38 total, 38 in this make and model, 1 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 140° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 29.97 inHg - Observed at: VNY 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.