# NTSB LAX87LA270: Cessna 172P, N5259K, Grass Valley, CA, July 11, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 10, 1987, 19:30 local (Jul 11, 1987, 02:30 UTC)
- Place: Grass Valley, CA
- Coordinates: 39.340576, -120.86956 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.3406&lon=-120.8696&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 8, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25639
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX87LA270
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25639/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87LA270

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - flare - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - recovery from bounced landing - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - go-around - delayed, pilot in command

## Analysis

DURING A PLEASURE FLIGHT, WHILE ATTEMPTING TO LAND AT THE AIRPORT, THE PILOT MADE A GO AROUND BECAUSE HE WAS TOO HIGH. ON THE SECOND APPROACH, THE PILOT NOTED THAT HE MAY HAVE BEEN A LITTLE HIGH AND FAST. DURING THE LANDING THE AIRCRAFT BOUNCED THREE TIMES BEFORE THE PILOT ADDED POWER TO GO AROUND. THE PILOT TOOK OFF AND DECIDED TO LAND AT ANOTHER AIRPORT. AFTER LANDING WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT AT THE OTHER AIRPORT, THE PILOT REALIZED THE DAMAGE TO THE AIRCRAFT. THERE WAS NO MECHANICAL FAILURES OR MALFUNCTIONS REPORTED AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5259K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5259K-2008-06-05), registration cancelled 2008-06-05, S/N 17274034, built 1980 (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: 17274034
- Airframe hours: 1837
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D2J 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: R. A. Bridgeford, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, May 20, 1987
- Departed: 017, GRASS VALLEY, CA
- Destination: APC, NAPA, CA
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: 017, Nevada Co., runway 25, 3,920 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 72 total, 6 in this make and model, 27 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: BAB, 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 19870710070619A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870710070619A), Jul 10, 1987: Cessna 172P, Grass Valley, CA, Substantial damage. The aircraft landed hard, bending the propeller. High density altitude. Low time pilot.

## Other investigations on N5259K (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 LAX85LA351](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85LA351), Aug 14, 1985: Cessna 172P (N5259K), Saint Helena, CA, substantial damage

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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