# NTSB LAX90LA174: Cessna 172, N7406A, California City, CA, May 15, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 15, 1990, 14:02 local (21:02 UTC)
- Place: California City, CA
- Coordinates: 35.150192, -117.919425 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.1502&lon=-117.9194&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report November 9, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26803
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX90LA174
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26803/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90LA174

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER LANDING FLARE. A FACTOR RELATED TO ACCIDENT WAS THE GUSTY WIND CONDITION.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - turbulence
- Loss of control - in flight, landing - flare/touchdown
  - flare - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - porpoise/pilot-induced oscillation - inadvertent, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - aborted

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PILOT, WHO HAD LOGGED 130 HOURS OF FLIGHT TIME, FLEW HIS AIRPLANE FOR 1.5 HOURS AND PRACTICED GROUND REFERENCE MANEUVERS. HE THEN ATTEMPTED TO LAND. DURING THE LANDING FLARE A GUST WAS ENCOUNTERED, AND THE PILOT DECIDED TO GO-AROUND. THE PILOT APPLIED FULL ENGINE POWER. THE NOSE WHEEL CONTACTED THE GROUND AND THE AIRCRAFT PORPOISED. THEREAFTER, THE PILOT LOST CONTROL OF HIS AIRCRAFT AND IT TOUCHED DOWN SO HARD THAT IT 'BROKE IN HALF.'

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7406A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7406A-1990-07-18), registration cancelled 1990-07-18, S/N 29506 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- Registry model: [Cessna 172](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172) (registry code 2072402) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 29506
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300-B 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Michael J. Hocevar
- Departed: WJF, LANCASTER, CA
- Airport: L71, California City, runway 24, 6,035 × 55 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 130 total, 125 in this make and model, 85 as pilot in command, 39 in the last 90 days, 35 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Not reported
- Wind: 230° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- 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 19900515016929A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900515016929A), May 15, 1990: Cessna 172, California City, CA, Substantial damage. Encountered gust on flare for landing began go around. Lost control.

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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