# NTSB LAX92LA238: Cessna 177A, N3144T, Mariposa, CA, June 7, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 7, 1992, 09:00 local (16:00 UTC)
- Place: Mariposa, CA
- Coordinates: 37.490512, -119.999656 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.4905&lon=-119.9997&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 28, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27642
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX92LA238
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27642/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92LA238

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S POORLY PLANNED APPROACH FOR LANDING, HIS FAILURE TO INITIATE A GO-AROUND, HIS FAILURE TO OBTAIN THE PROPER TOUCHDOWN POINT, HIS MISJUDGMENT OF THE TOUCHDOWN FLARE, AND HIS IMPROPER RECOVERY FROM A BOUNCED LANDING. A FACTOR IN THIS ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S LACK OF TOTAL AERONAUTICAL EXPEREINCE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - planned approach - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - go-around - not selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper touchdown point - not obtained, pilot in command (cause)
  - flare - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - porpoise/pilot-induced oscillation - encountered, pilot in command
  - recovery from bounced landing - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

IN AN INTERVIEW, THE PILOT SAID THAT WHILE HE WAS IN THE TRAFFIC PATTERN TO LAND, HE TURNED BASE TOO SOON. HE SAID THE AIRPLANE'S AIRSPEED WAS A LITTLE FAST AND HE WAS A LITTLE HIGH. HE SAID HE PLACED THE AIRPLANE IN A SLIP. HE SAID HE LEVELED THE AIRPLANE OVER THE RUNWAY NUMBERS, BUT THE AIRSPEED WAS ABOUT 20 MILES PER HOUR TOO FAST. HE SAID HE LANDED THE AIRPLANE HARD ON ALL THREE LANDING GEAR AND THE AIRPLANE BEGAN TO PORPOISE. HE SAID THE AIRPLANE 'BOUNCED ABOUT 4 TO 5 TIMES.' HE ALSO SAID HIS LACK OF TOTAL EXPERIENCE DID NOT HELP AND THAT HE PROBABLY SHOULD HAVE EXECUTED A GO-AROUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3144T](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3144T), registered now, S/N 17700444, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 177A
- Registry model: [Cessna 177](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-177) (registry code 2073704) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17700444
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Robert G. Fairbourn
- Registered owner: Robert G. Fairbourn
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000
- Departed: FCH, FRESNO, CA
- Airport: 068, Mariposa, runway 8, 3,310 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 100 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °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 19920607019109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920607019109A), Jun 7, 1992: Cessna 177A, Mariposa, CA, Substantial damage. Landed fast bounced and porpoised on landing. Impacts bent nose gear and fire wall.

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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