# NTSB LAX91LA244: Cessna 172M, N1407U, Willits, CA, May 28, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 28, 1991, 09:00 local (16:00 UTC)
- Place: Willits, CA
- Coordinates: 39.729152, -123.330017 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.7292&lon=-123.3300&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 27, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27233
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX91LA244
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27233/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91LA244

## Probable cause

THAT THE PILOT MISJUDGED THE FLARE AND FAILED TO PROPERLY RECOVER FROM A BOUNCED LANDING.  CONTRIBUTING TO THIS ACCIDENT WAS ENTERING INTO AN INADVERTENT PORPOISE.

## 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)
  - porpoise/pilot-induced oscillation - inadvertent, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - recovery from bounced landing - improper, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS COMPLETING A PERSONAL FLIGHT FROM CONCORD, CALIFORNIA, AND MISJUDGED THE FLARE, LANDED HARD AND BOUNCED.  THE PILOT FAILED TO RECOVER FROM THE BOUNCED LANDING AND THE AIRPLANE PORPOISED 3 TIMES BEFORE COMING TO A STOP ON THE RUNWAY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1407U](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1407U), registered now, S/N 17267077, built 1976 (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: 17267077
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-320-EZ 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Nri, Inc., Flying Club
- Registered owner: Nri, Inc., Flying Club
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000
- Departed: CCR, CONCORD, CA
- Airport: 028, Willits, runway 34, 3,000 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 62; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 253 total, 73 in this make and model, 157 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19910528020149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910528020149A), May 28, 1991: Cessna 172M, Willits, CA, Substantial damage. Hard landing and porposiing damaged the firewall. Blamed a 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.

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