# NTSB LAX05CA137: Cessna 172S, N520ER, Gallup, NM, April 12, 2005

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: April 12, 2005, 15:30 local (21:30 UTC)
- Place: Gallup, NM
- Coordinates: 35.515086, -108.78039 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.5151&lon=-108.7804&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 13, 2005
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration
- NTSB case key (mKey): 61314
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX05CA137
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/61314/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX05CA137

## Probable cause

the pilot's premature liftoff and inadequate remedial action, which resulted in the airplane inadvertently recontacting the runway.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff
  - terrain condition - runway
  - lift-off - premature, pilot in command (cause)
  - remedial action - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

The airplane sustained damage to the firewall and several bulkheads when it settled firmly back onto the runway during takeoff.  The pilot rotated the airplane at 55 knots and it rose off the runway slightly, but struggled to gain airspeed and altitude.  The pilot allowed the nose to lower for airspeed, and the tires touched firmly back on the runway.  According to the pilot, the contact happened in a flat attitude with the nose gear touching first, but not more so than a hard landing.  The pilot allowed airspeed to increase and proceeded with a normal takeoff.  The engine indications were normal, and control surfaces responded normally for the remainder of the flight.  Maintenance personnel examined the airplane after completion of the flight and discovered structural damage to the firewall and airframe bulkheads.  The pilot stated that the airplane and engine had no mechanical failures or malfunctions during the flight.

## Factual narrative

On April 12, 2005, about 1530 mountain standard time, a Cessna 172S, N520ER, settled firmly back onto the runway following liftoff at Gallup, New Mexico.  Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University 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.  The solo cross-country instructional flight departed Gallup about 1530, en route to Prescott, Arizona.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed; a visual flight rules (VFR) flight plan had been filed.

In the pilot's written statement, she stated that she rotated at 55 knots during a normal takeoff.  The airplane rose off the runway slightly, but struggled to gain airspeed and altitude.  The pilot allowed the nose to lower for airspeed, and the tires touched firmly back on the runway.  The contact happened in a flat attitude with the nose gear touching first, but she thought that the contact was not more so than a hard landing.  The pilot allowed the airspeed to increase, and proceeded with a normal takeoff.  The engine indications were normal and control surfaces responded normally for the remainder of the flight.

Maintenance personnel examined the airplane, and discovered structural damage to the firewall and airframe bulkheads.

The pilot stated that the airplane and engine had no mechanical failures or malfunctions during the flight.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N520ER](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N520ER), registered now, S/N 172S8923, built 2001 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Cessna 172S
- Registry model: [Cessna 172S](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172s) (registry code 2072439) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 SER A&C](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-ser-a-c) (registry code 41511, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17258923
- Engines: Lycoming IO-360-L2A reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Prescott
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: GUP, Gallup, NM
- Destination: PRC, Prescott, AZ
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: GUP, Gallup Municipal, runway 24, 7,316 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 20; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1; flight hours: 119 total, 93 in this make and model, 16 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: variable at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 7 °F
- Altimeter: 30.12 inHg
- Observed at: GUP

## 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 20050412030589A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050412030589A), Apr 12, 2005: Cessna 172S, Gallup, NM, Substantial damage. (-23) The pilot told investigators that the aircraft settled firmly back onto the runway following liftoff at Gallup, new Mexico. The nose landing gear…

## Other investigations on N520ER (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 OPS17IA021](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OPS17IA021), May 9, 2017: Cessna 172S (N520ER), New Orleans, LA, incident, no damage. Probable cause: The air traffic controller not following Federal Aviation Administration directives to establish sequencing and spacing between aircraft operating to the same runway.

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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