# NTSB LAX08CA165: Cessna 172M, N73403, Byron, CA, June 6, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 6, 2008, 11:30 local (18:30 UTC) - Place: Byron, CA - Coordinates: 37.823333, -121.622222 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.8233&lon=-121.6222&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: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 30, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 68188 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX08CA165 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/68188/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX08CA165 ## Probable cause The flight instructor's inadequate compensation for the wind conditions, and his inadequate supervision of the student pilot. Factors contributing to the accident were a sudden wind shift and wind gusts. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Contributed to outcome (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 26 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: crosswind correction](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062030): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062030/cases.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 184 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062030/cases.md) - [Wind: sudden wind shift](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034010): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Contributed to outcome (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034010/cases.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 114 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034010/cases.md) - [Attention/monitoring: monitoring other person](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021535): Personnel issues › Psychological · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021535/cases.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 200 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021535/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 172M, 23 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094); cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md) ## Analysis The certificated flight instructor (CFI) and a student were practicing landings. They made two successful landings, and were on approach for a third. Around this time, the recorded winds were from 250 degrees at 7 knots gusting to 18. When the airplane was 50 feet above ground level (agl), and over the runway numbers, the student reduced power to idle per the CFI's instructions. At that moment, the airplane encountered a sudden wind shift or gust, which abruptly caused the airplane to pitch down and bank to the right. The CFI added full power, and applied back pressure on the yoke, but was unable to keep the airplane from descending rapidly. The nose gear and right main landing gear violently struck the runway. The nose gear broke off, and the airplane bounced. The CFI regained control, and landed the airplane on both main landing gear while keeping the nose gear off the ground as long as possible. The nose settled on the broken nose gear strut, and the airplane stopped on the runway. ## Factual narrative In a written statement, the certified flight instructor (CFI) reported that he and his student flew to Byron Airport, Byron, California, to practice landing. They listened to the Byron automatic weather observation service (AWOS), which reported winds from 250 degrees at 9 knots, gusting to 15. They made two successful landings on runway 23. The third approach was made at 65 knots and appeared normal. The approximate time of the third approach was 1130. When the airplane was 50 feet above ground level (agl) and over the runway numbers, the student reduced power to idle per the CFI's instructions. At that moment, the airplane was caught in a downdraft, which abruptly caused the airplane to pitch down and bank to the right. The CFI added full power and applied back pressure on the yoke, but was unable to keep the airplane from descending rapidly. The nose gear and right main landing gear violently struck the runway. The nose gear broke off, and the airplane bounced. The CFI regained control and landed the airplane on both main landing gear while keeping the nose gear off the ground as long as possible. The nose settled on the broken nose gear strut and the airplane stopped on the runway. The CFI indicated that the airplane and engine had no mechanical failures or malfunctions during the flight. At 1100, the Byron AWOS reported winds from 240 at 6 knots. At 1135, it reported winds from 250 at 7 knots gusting to 18. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N73403](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N73403-2014-12-03), registration cancelled 2014-12-03, S/N 17267432, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172M - Registry model: [Cessna 172M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172m) (registry code 2072418) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17267432 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-E2D reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Alex Al-Abed - Registered owner: Alex Al-Abed - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 2008 - Departed: SQL, San Carlos, CA - Airport: KC83, Byron Airport, runway 23, 3,000 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 25; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1; last flight review April 1, 2008; flight hours: 1,114 total, 685 in this make and model, 173 in the last 90 days, 16 in the last 30 days - Student pilot; age 17; student; medical: class 3; flight hours: 12 total, 11 in this make and model, 12 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 250° at 7 knots, gusting 18 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F - Observed at: LVK, 12 nm away ## 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 20080606834489A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080606834489A), Jun 6, 2008: Cessna 172M, Byron, CA, Substantial damage. (-23) Instructor and student doing pattern work at the Byron Airport (C83). The student was flying the aircraft on final approach. The student pulled the power… ## Other investigations on N73403 (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 LAX91LA010](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91LA010), Oct 16, 1990: Cessna 172 (N73403), San Carlos, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT'S VISUAL LOOKOUT WAS INADEQUATE. 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.