# NTSB LAX96LA246: Cessna 172M, N12341, Sedona, AZ, June 12, 1996

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 12, 1996, 11:30 local (18:30 UTC)
- Place: Sedona, AZ
- Coordinates: 34.939525, -111.940589 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.9395&lon=-111.9406&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 29, 1997
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 29483
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX96LA246
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29483/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX96LA246

## Probable cause

the pilot's improper recovery from a bounced landing.  The variable/gusty/quartering tail wind was a related factor.

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - variable wind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - recovery from bounced landing - improper, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that after a normal cross-country flight, he landed on runway 3 with winds that were variable at 5 gusting 10 knots. Reportedly, the airplane touched down on the main landing gear at normal speed with a quartering tail wind. While lowering the nose, the aircraft lifted off the runway again and landed hard. The pilot taxied to parking where he observed a bulging inner tube from the nose tire side wall. He then taxied the airplane to a fixed-base operator, who advised him of additional damage to the fire wall and nose gear.

## Factual narrative

On June 12, 1996, about 1130 hours mountain standard time, a Cessna 172M, N12341, was substantially damaged during landing at Sedona, Arizona.  Neither the pilot nor the passenger were injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight and no flight plan was filed.  The flight originated at Eagle, Colorado, at 0800 on the day of the accident.

The pilot stated he had a normal approach and touchdown on the main landing gear.  While lowering the nose gear the aircraft became airborne, then settled back onto the runway not noticeably hard.  He taxied to parking and secured the aircraft.  He noticed an inner tube sticking through the nose tire side wall.  He taxied the aircraft to a fixed-base operator to have the tire repaired, and during that process he was informed of the damage to the fire wall and nose landing gear.

The pilot reported that he was landing at the uncontrolled airport with a right quartering tail wind with occasional gusts of 5 to 10 knots.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N12341](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N12341), registered now, S/N 17261938, built 1973 (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: 17261938
- Engines: Lycoming O-320 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Great Escape A/C Leasing Co.
- Registered owner: Great Escape Aircraft Leasing
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, May 22, 1996
- Departed: EGE, EAGLE, CO
- Destination: SEZ
- Airport: SEZ, Sedona, runway 3, 5,131 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,215 total, 7 in this make and model, 1,110 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: variable at 5 knots, gusting 10
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °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 19960612016549A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960612016549A), Jun 12, 1996: Cessna 172M, Sedona, AZ, Substantial damage. Ballooned landing. Taxied to ramp. Had ruptured nosewheel tire side wall. Damaged firewall and nosed gear.

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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