# NTSB LAX88LA055: Cessna 172N, N9568G, San Jose, CA, November 21, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 21, 1987, 13:28 local (21:28 UTC)
- Place: San Jose, CA
- Coordinates: 37.329666, -121.769477 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.3297&lon=-121.7695&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 24, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25914
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX88LA055
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25914/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX88LA055

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - flare - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - porpoise/pilot-induced oscillation - inadvertent, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - recovery from bounced landing - improper, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

AT THE CONCLUSION OF A CROSS COUNTRY INSTRUCTIONAL FLIGHT, THE PILOT MADE THREE APPROACHES TO LAND. ON THE FIRST TWO ATTEMPTS, THE AIRCRAFT TOUCHED DOWN ON THE NOSE WHEEL AND PORPOISED, THEN THE PILOT INITIATED A GO-AROUND. ON THE THIRD LANDING, THE AIRCRAFT WAS OBSERVED TO TOUCH DOWN ON THE NOSE WHEEL WITHOUT FLARING. IT THEN PORPOISED SEVERAL TIMES, STRIKING THE NOSE WHEEL AND PROPELLER. THE PILOT HELD A PRIVATE CERTIFICATE, BUT WAS IN A TRAINING PROGRAM FOR A COMMERCIAL RATING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9568G](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9568G), registered now, S/N 17273631, built 1979 (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: 17273631
- Airframe hours: 2504
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Alps Aviation
- Registered owner: Hiroyasu Takai
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, October 7, 1987, 60 hours before
- Departed: APC, NAPA, CA
- Destination: RHV
- Airport: RHV, Reid-Hillview, runway 31L, 3,099 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 134 total, 22 in this make and model, 38 as pilot in command, 11 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: RHV

## 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 19871121069889A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19871121069889A), Nov 21, 1987: Cessna 172N, San Jose, CA, Substantial damage. Bounced and porpoised on landing. Went around and landed nose first with no flare. Damaged gear and propeller.

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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