# NTSB LAX08CA155: Cessna 172N, N2857E, Sells, AZ, May 26, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 26, 2008, 10:30 local (17:30 UTC) - Place: Sells, AZ - Coordinates: 31.926111, -111.889724 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.9261&lon=-111.8897&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 30, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 68095 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX08CA155 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/68095/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX08CA155 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate recovery from a bounced landing and failure to maintain proper runway alignment. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: landing flare](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Incorrect use/operation; cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 38 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 1,285 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Not specified; cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 14 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md) - [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 29 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 46 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) - [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 134 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis After two touch-and-go landings at another airport, the pilot flew to Sells to perform one more touch-and-go landing. While flying over the airport to observe the runway, he thought he saw a windsock at the end of the runway, but later realized there was no windsock. He assumed the wind was calm, and made an approach to runway 4. The aircraft was too high and fast, so the pilot executed a go-around and approached again. This approach was also slightly high and fast, but he believed he could still land. The aircraft landed hard and bounced. The pilot decided to execute another go-around, and applied full power. The aircraft began drifting to the left, and the left wing tip struck a mesquite tree. The aircraft spun to the left, impacted more trees, and came to an abrupt stop. The pilot did not notice any strong wind at the time, but believes he may have had a slight tailwind. The observed wind at the closest observation station was variable at 4 knots. The pilot said there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures. ## Factual narrative After two touch-and-go landings at another airport, the pilot flew to Sells to perform one more touch-and-go landing. While flying over the airport to observe the runway, he thought he saw a windsock at the end of the runway, but later realized there was no windsock. He assumed the wind was calm, and made an approach to runway 4. The aircraft was too high and fast, so the pilot executed a go-around and made another approach. This approach was also slightly high and fast, but he believed he could still land. The aircraft landed hard and bounced. The pilot decided to execute another go-around, and applied full power. The aircraft began drifting to the left, and the left wing tip struck a mesquite tree. The aircraft spun to the left, impacted more trees, and came to an abrupt stop. The pilot did not notice any strong wind at the time, but believes he may have had a slight tailwind. The observed wind at the closest observation station was variable at 4 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2857E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2857E-2013-04-19), registration cancelled 2013-04-19, S/N 17271348, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172N - Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17271348 - Airframe hours: 1920 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Abrams Airborne (Tuscon Aeroservice Center) - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, February 1, 2008 - Departed: AVQ, Marana, AZ - Destination: E78, Sells, AZ - Airport: E78, Sells Airport, runway 04, 5,830 × 60 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 61; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3; last flight review May 1, 2007; seat: left; flight hours: 120 total, 120 in this make and model, 5 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - 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 20080526838049A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080526838049A), May 26, 2008: Cessna 172, Sells, AZ, Substantial damage. (-23) On may 26,2008 [privacy data omitted] departed marana, AZ enroute VFR to Sells, AZ. [privacy data omitted] Crossed over the airport for indication of… 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.