# NTSB LAX96LA237: Cessna 172N, N738PS, Ramona, CA, June 5, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 4, 1996, 18:50 local (Jun 5, 1996, 01:50 UTC) - Place: Ramona, CA - Coordinates: 33.070022, -116.830886 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.0700&lon=-116.8309&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 20, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 29475 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX96LA237 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29475/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX96LA237 ## Probable cause the pilot's misjudged and delayed landing flare, and inadequate recovery technique from a bounced landing (porpoise). Sun glare was a factor in the accident. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown - light condition - dusk - light condition - sunglare (contributing factor) - flare - misjudged, pilot in command (cause) - visual/aural detection, pilot in command (contributing factor) - porpoise/pilot-induced oscillation - inadvertent, pilot in command - recovery from bounced landing - improper, pilot in command (cause) - Nose gear collapsed, landing - roll - landing gear,nose gear - overload ## Analysis The pilot reported that the landing was into the setting sun, and his depth perception was impaired by excessive sun glare on the windshield. The aircraft impacted the runway nose wheel first and porpoised three or four times before the nose landing gear collapsed. ## Factual narrative On June 4, 1996, at 1850 hours Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 172N, N738PS, was substantially damaged when the nose wheel collapsed during a landing at the Ramona Airport, Ramona, California. The private pilot and one passenger were not injured. The operator reported that visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The personal flight departed from the McClellan-Palomar Airport, Carlsbad, California, at 1830. The NTSB was notified of the accident on June 20, 1996. In his written report, the pilot said that his landing approach to runway 27 was into the setting sun. He reported that during the landing flare excessive glare from the sun on the windshield disrupted his altitude perception over the runway. He reported that he "must [have] flared a little bit too late" and landed on the nose wheel first after which the aircraft porpoised three or four times before the nose landing gear collapsed. He reported no malfunction or failure with the aircraft. The operator stated that weather was not a factor in the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N738PS](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N738PS-2022-07-30), registration cancelled 2022-07-30, S/N 17270136 (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: 17270136 - Airframe hours: 1992 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Sun Valley Leasing Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, May 8, 1996, 36 hours before - Departed: CRQ, CARLSBAD, CA - Destination: L39 - Airport: L39, Ramona, runway 27, 4,000 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 18; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 120 total, 18 in this make and model, 26 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk - Wind: calm - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg ## 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 19960604014969A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960604014969A), Jun 4, 1996: Cessna 172N, Ramona, CA, Substantial damage. Reported blinded by sun landing. Impacted runway nose first. Porpoised. Collapsed nose gear. ## Other investigations on N738PS (1) 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. - [NTSB LAX84LA471](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX84LA471), Sep 28, 1984: Cessna 172N (N738PS), Stockton, CA, substantial damage 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.