# NTSB LAX94LA305: Cessna 172N, N739RF, Cameron Park, CA, July 30, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 30, 1994, 11:00 local (18:00 UTC) - Place: Cameron Park, CA - Coordinates: 38.610645, -120.970825 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.6106&lon=-120.9708&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 14, 1994 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 28815 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX94LA305 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/28815/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX94LA305 ## Probable cause the pilot's improper use of the elevator control during the landing flare. ## 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) - elevator - improper use of, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The pilot stated that he came in high over the runway numbers with full flaps and maintained his descent attitude until he began to flare and reduce his airspeed. He stated that he inexplicably pushed forward on the control wheel to get the aircraft on the ground. On initial touchdown, the aircraft bounced back into the air. The pilot again attempted to flare and bounced once again about 10 or 15 feet in the air. On the third attempted landing, the aircraft remained on the runway after touchdown. The pilot reported that after turning off the runway onto the taxiway, the aircraft became difficult to taxi. He said he attributed the difficulty to the fact that his destination on the airport required him to taxi uphill. An inspection of the aircraft revealed that the nosewheel tire was blown, the nose wheel strut was broken at the top attachment point, and the engine firewall was buckled. ## Factual narrative On July 30, 1994, at 1100 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 172N, N739RF, sustained substantial damage during a hard landing at Cameron Park, California. The aircraft was owned and operated by Patterson Aviation, Inc., and was rented by the pilot for a local area personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions were prevalent at the time and no flight plan had been filed. The certificated private pilot was not injured. The flight originated from the Sacramento Executive airport, Sacramento, California, at 0915 on the day of the accident. The pilot reported that he was making a visual approach to runway 31 at Cameron Airpark. He stated that he came in high over the runway numbers with full flaps. He maintained his descent attitude until he judged his position to be about 10 to 15 feet above the runway, and then began to flare and reduce his airspeed. As the aircraft was about to touch down, he stated that he inexplicably pushed forward on the control wheel to get the aircraft on the ground. He did not know why he performed that action since he does not normally attempt to land in that manner. After the initial touchdown, the aircraft bounced back into the air. At this time, he felt he could recover and continue the landing sequence, so he again attempted to flare the aircraft over the remaining runway. He said he may have misjudged his altitude on the second attempt and the aircraft bounced about 10 or 15 feet in the air. After the second bounced landing, he felt that he did not have sufficient power and runway remaining to attempt a go-around. He continued to make a third attempt, and the aircraft remained on the runway after touchdown. The pilot reported that after turning off the runway onto the taxiway, the aircraft became difficult to taxi. He attributed the difficulty to the fact that his destination on the airport required him to taxi uphill. An inspection of the aircraft by the owner/operator revealed that the nosewheel tire was blown, the nosewheel strut was broken at the top attachment point, and the engine firewall was buckled. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N739RF](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N739RF), registered now, S/N 17270739, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172N - Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17270739 - Airframe hours: 5745 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Marty Keane, doing business as Patterson Aviation, Inc. - Registered owner: Patterson Aircraft Company - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Special, Provisional (Special); Standard, Utility - Last inspection: 100 hour, July 21, 1994, 5 hours before - Departed: SAC, SACRAMENTO, CA - Airport: O61, Cameron Airpark, runway 31, 4,060 × 50 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 71; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 563 total, 7 in this make and model, 521 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 8 knots - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: MCC, 14 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 19940730020029A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940730020029A), Jul 30, 1994: Cessna 172N, Cameron Park, CA, Substantial damage. Bounced landing recovered and bounced again then stopped on runway. Unable taxi. Blew tire. Damaged gear 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. --- 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.