# NTSB LAX91LA110: Cessna 172N, N5300F, San Carlos, CA, February 17, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 17, 1991, 14:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: San Carlos, CA
- Coordinates: 37.490962, -122.259841 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.4910&lon=-122.2598&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 13, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27120
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX91LA110
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27120/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91LA110

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER FLARE 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)

## Analysis

IN HIS STATEMENT THE PILOT SAID THAT WHILE ON HIS FOURTH CONSECUTIVE APPROACH AND WHILE OVER THE LANDING THRESHOLD, THE AIRCRAFT EXPERIENCED A DOWNDRAFT AND LANDED HARD. WINDS REPORTED BY THE TOWER FAVORED THE ACTIVE RUNWAY. ACCORDING TO THE TOWER'S WEATHER REPORT, NO WIND GUSTS OR TURBULENCE WAS PRESENT AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5300F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5300F-1992-05-06), registration cancelled 1992-05-06, S/N 17273130 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172N
- Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17273130
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: David M. Forbes
- Registered owner: David M. Forbes
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000
- Airport: SQL, San Carlos, runway 3, 2,600 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 236 total, 150 in this make and model, 161 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 18 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Observed at: SQL, 1 nm away

## 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 19910217002879A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910217002879A), Feb 17, 1991: Cessna 172N, San Carlos, CA, Substantial damage. Landed hard causing damage. Blamed downdraft. No gust or turbulence reported.

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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