# NTSB LAX90LA053: Cessna 177, N3458T, Tucson, AZ, November 10, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 10, 1989, 13:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: Tucson, AZ
- Coordinates: 32.200561, -110.950996 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.2006&lon=-110.9510&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 5, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26706
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX90LA053
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26706/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90LA053

## Probable cause

IMPROPER FLARE BY THE STUDENT PILOT, WHICH RESULTED IN A PORPOISE, AND HIS IMPROPER RECOVERY FROM A BOUNCED LANDING.

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - flare - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - porpoise/pilot-induced oscillation - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - recovery from bounced landing - improper, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

WHILE PRACTICING TOUCH-&-GO LANDINGS, THE STUDENT ALLOWED THE ACFT TO TOUCH DOWN, NOSEWHEEL FIRST. THE ACFT THEN ENTERED A PORPOISE & WAS DAMAGED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3458T](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3458T), registered now, S/N 17700758, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 177
- Registry model: [Cessna 177](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-177) (registry code 2073704) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 177-00-758
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Hodes, Barton L.
- Registered owner: Unknown
- Airport: RYN, Ryan Field, runway 6, 5,500 × 75 ft, macadam

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 131 total, 65 in this make and model, 35 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °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 19891110051419A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19891110051419A), Nov 10, 1989: Cessna 177, Tucson, AZ, Substantial damage. Bounced and propoised on landing.

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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