# NTSB LAX91LA019: Cessna 172M, N9592V, Torrance, CA, October 30, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 30, 1990, 14:16 local (22:16 UTC)
- Place: Torrance, CA
- Coordinates: 33.798999, -118.350128 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.7990&lon=-118.3501&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): 27050
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX91LA019
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27050/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91LA019

## Probable cause

THE STUDENT PILOT FAILED TO PROPERLY FLARE THE AIRPLANE, MADE AN IMPROPER RECOVERY FROM THE SUBSEQUENT BOUNCED LANDING. CONTRIBUTING TO THIS ACCIDENT WAS THE STUDENT PILOT'S TOTAL LACK OF EXPERIENCE AND HIS IMPROPER USE OF THE RUDDER.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - flare - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - recovery from bounced landing - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - rudder - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - soft
- Nose down, landing - roll

## Analysis

BEFORE DEPARTING ON THE ACCIDENT FLIGHT THE STUDENT PILOT RECEIVED ABOUT A HALF-HOUR OF DUAL INSTRUCTION FROM A CFI. THE CFI REPORTED THAT THE STUDENT PILOT EXECUTED 9 TOUCH & GO TAKEOFFS AND LANDINGS IN A COMPETENT MANNER AND HE ALLOWED THE STUDENT TO PERFORM HIS INITIAL SOLO FLIGHT. ON THE FIRST SOLO LANDING THE STUDENT PILOT IMPROPERLY FLARED AND THE AIRPLANE BOUNCED AND BEGAN TO PORPOISE. THE STUDENT FAILED TO PROPERLY RECOVER FROM THE BOUNCED LANDING AND WHEN THE PORPOISE STOPPED THE AIRPLANE WAS ANGLED TOWARD THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY. THE STUDENT IMPROPERLY APPLIED EXCESSIVE LEFT RUDDER AND INADVERTENTLY ENTERED INTO A GROUND LOOP, EXITED THE LEFT SIDE OF THE 150-FT WIDE RUNWAY AND COLLIDED WITH THE SOFT TERRAIN AND NOSED DOWN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9592V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9592V-2016-12-09), registration cancelled 2016-12-09, S/N 17264394, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172M
- Registry model: [Cessna 172M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172m) (registry code 2072418) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17264394
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Ben Bow Aviation
- Departed: TOA
- Airport: Torrance Munic., runway 29R, 5,000 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; student; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 33 total, 22 in this make and model, 23 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: TOA

## 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 19901030047479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19901030047479A), Oct 30, 1990: Cessna 172M, Torrance, CA, Substantial damage. On first solo bounced and porpoised on landing. Over controlled and ground looped. Blamed wind gust.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.