# NTSB LAX90LA337: Cessna 172, N738PF, Fresno, CA, September 13, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 12, 1990, 18:00 local (Sep 13, 1990, 01:00 UTC)
- Place: Fresno, CA
- Coordinates: 36.749362, -119.670082 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.7494&lon=-119.6701&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 30, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26932
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX90LA337
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26932/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90LA337

## Probable cause

THE PILOT MISJUDGED THE FLARE ALTITUDE AND FAILED TO PROPERLY RECOVER 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 - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - recovery from bounced landing - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - landing gear,nose gear - overload
  - porpoise/pilot-induced oscillation - inadvertent, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PILOT WAS PRACTICING TAKEOFFS AND LANDING. ON THE SECOND LANDING HE MISJUDGED THE AIRPLANE'S ALTITUDE, LANDED HARD AND BOUNCED. THE STUDENT PILOT FAILED TO CORRECT THE BOUNCED LANDING AND THE AIRPLANE BEGAN TO PROPOISE UNTIL THE NOSE LANDING GEAR COLLAPSED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N738PF](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N738PF-1990-12-26), registration cancelled 1990-12-26, S/N 17270125 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Dale Victor Gawley
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Airport: FAT, Fresno Air Term, runway 29R, 9,222 × 150 ft, macadam

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; toxicology performed; flight hours: 30 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 320° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Observed at: FAT

## 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 19900912043439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900912043439A), Sep 12, 1990: Cessna 172N, Fresno, CA, Substantial damage. Landed nose wheel first. Porpoised and damaged prop gear and firewall.

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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