# NTSB LAX04CA186: Cessna 172S, N669SP, Long Beach, CA, April 13, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: April 12, 2004, 17:50 local (Apr 13, 2004, 00:50 UTC) - Place: Long Beach, CA - Coordinates: 33.817501, -118.15139 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8175&lon=-118.1514&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 30, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 59074 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX04CA186 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/59074/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04CA186 ## Probable cause the student pilot's inadequate flare, which resulted in a hard landing and porpoise. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown - flare - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - porpoise/pilot-induced oscillation - initiated, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The airplane experienced a hard landing. The student pilot was attempting to land, but did not flare before touchdown. One propeller blade collided with the runway during touchdown, and the nose wheel impacted the runway surface hard, pushing it into the firewall. This resulted in the firewall bending and the elevator controls jamming, becoming inoperative. The airplane porpoised down the runway, and the student applied brake pressure. The student taxied to the ramp area uneventfully. The student pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane. ## Factual narrative On April 12, 2004, about 1750 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 172S, N669SP, experienced a hard landing at Long Beach Airport, Long Beach, California. California Flight Center was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The student 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 local student solo instructional flight originated in Long Beach about 1630. In a written statement, the student pilot reported that he was attempting to land on runway 25L. While the airplane was over the runway identifying numbers, he started the flare. The yoke control froze and he could not properly operate it. The airplane touched down, and bounced down the runway. He reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane. During a telephone interview with the National Transportation Safety Board, the owner of the flight school that was operating the airplane stated that the student pilot had about 4.7 hours of solo time. After interviewing the student, and looking at the damage, he assessed that the student did not flare before touchdown. He thought the nose wheel impacted the runway hard, pushing it into the cowling. This resulted in the firewall bending and the elevator controls jamming, becoming inoperative. The airplane porpoised down the runway, and the student applied brake pressure. The student taxied to the ramp area uneventfully. The flight school owner noted that one propeller blade collided with the runway during touchdown, leading him to believe that the student attempted to touchdown at a 40- to 45-degree angle. Examination of the airplane revealed no discrepancies with the control system. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N669SP](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N669SP-2006-04-17), registration cancelled 2006-04-17, S/N 172S8622 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172S - Registry model: [Cessna 172S](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172s) (registry code 2072439) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 172S8622 - Engines: Lycoming IO-360 reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: California Flight Center - Registered owner: Timothy Snee - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Departed: LGB, Long Beach, CA - Destination: LGB, Long Beach, CA - Airport: LGB, Long Beach Airport, runway 25L ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Student pilot; age 41; student; medical: class 3; flight hours: 30 total, 30 in this make and model, 3 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day ## 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 20040412006489A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040412006489A), Apr 12, 2004: Cessna 172S, Long Beach, CA, Substantial damage. (-23) Mr. Polio was a student pilot on his second unsupervised solo flight. After returning from the practice area, Mr. Polio was attempting to make his third… ## Other investigations on N669SP (1) 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 LAX01LA137](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX01LA137), Apr 3, 2001: Cessna 172S (N669SP), Long Beach, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The student pilot's inadequate compensation for the exisiting crosswind and his improper landing flare that resulted in a hard landing, and loss of directional control during the landing roll. 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.