# NTSB LAX90LA069: Cessna 172, N739BB, Mesa, AZ, January 12, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 12, 1990, 14:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Mesa, AZ
- Coordinates: 33.439086, -111.849365 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.4391&lon=-111.8494&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 28, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26719
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX90LA069
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26719/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90LA069

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL AND COMPENSATE FOR GUSTY WIND CONDITIONS WHICH RESULTED IN A HARD LANDING.

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - high wind (contributing factor)
  - recovery from bounced landing - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - compensation for wind conditions - not corrected, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT OF A CESSNA 172 LOST DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING A LANDING. THE PILOT WAS WORKING THE TRAFFIC PATTERN IN STRONG WIND CONDITIONS WITH GUSTS TO 30 KNOTS. RUNWAY 22 WAS IN USE AND THE WINDS WERE FROM 220. THE PILOT REPORTED NO MECHANICAL PROBLEMS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N739BB (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Arizona Aviation
- Departed: FFZ
- Destination: FFZ
- Airport: FFZ, Mesa, runway 22, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: unknown, unknown; flight hours: 100 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 20 knots, gusting 30
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °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 19900112000559A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900112000559A), Jan 12, 1990: Cessna 172N, Mesa, AZ, Substantial damage. Made hard landing bent propeller and firewall. Gusty surface wind.

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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