# NTSB LAX89LA272: Cessna 172P, N51920, Redlands, CA, August 13, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 13, 1989, 10:35 local (17:35 UTC)
- Place: Redlands, CA
- Coordinates: 33.999992, -117.120567 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.0000&lon=-117.1206&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 30, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26475
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX89LA272
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26475/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89LA272

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER LEVEL-OFF, RECOVERY FROM BOUNCED LANDING, AND FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING THE LANDING. THE PILOT'S LIMITED RECENT EXPERIENCE WAS A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR.

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - level off - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of recent total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - recovery from bounced landing - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Main gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - landing gear,main gear strut - overload

## Analysis

IN HIS ORAL AND WRITTEN STATEMENTS, THE PILOT SAID THAT THE APPROACH WAS COMPLETELY NORMAL. JUST AS THE AIRCRAFT WAS IN THE FLARE, THE PILOT SAID THE AIRCRAFT NOSE WENT TO THE LEFT AND HE APPLIED RIGHT RUDDER, WHICH SUDDENLY MADE THE NOSE OF THE AIRCRAFT GO TOO FAR TO THE RIGHT. THE PILOT NOTED THAT HE COULDN'T GET THE AIRCRAFT STRAIGHTENED OUT BEFORE THE MAIN WHEELS CONTACTED THE RUNWAY. THE PILOT SAID THAT THE AIRCRAFT 'HIT AND BOUNCED, AND WHEN IT CAME BACK DOWN, IT VEERED OFF THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY.' WITNESSES ON THE AIRPORT REPORTED THAT THE AIRCRAFT HIT THE RUNWAY VERY HARD WHILE IN A CRAB. EXAMINATION OF THE PILOT'S LOGBOOK REVEALED THAT HE HAD LIMITED RECENT EXPERIENCE, LOGGING ONLY TWO HOURS WITHIN THE LAST 90 DAYS. EXAMINATION OF THE LANDING GEAR REVEALED THAT THE SEVERITY OF THE HARD LANDING SHEARED THE MAIN GEAR STRUT ATTACH BOLTS, WHICH ALLOWED THE RIGHT GEAR TO ROTATE FREELY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N51920](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N51920), registered now, S/N 17274377, 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: 17274377
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-DJ2 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Redlands Aviation
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: L12
- Destination: L12
- Airport: L12, Redlands Muni, runway 26, 4,500 × 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; flight hours: 140 total, 6 in this make and model, 86 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19890813028919A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890813028919A), Aug 13, 1989: Cessna 172P, Redlands, CA, Substantial damage. Bounced lost control when impact collapsed left main gear and slid off the runway.

## Other investigations on N51920 (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 LAX95LA133](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX95LA133), Feb 21, 1995: Cessna 172P (N51920), Redlands, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: the pilot's use of an excessive approach speed and glidepath angle and his improper bounced landing recovery technique.

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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