# NTSB LAX96LA250: Cessna 172, N9408L, Camarillo, CA, June 29, 1996

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 29, 1996, 10:52 local (17:52 UTC)
- Place: Camarillo, CA
- Coordinates: 34.229148, -119.069778 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.2291&lon=-119.0698&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 16, 1996
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 29486
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX96LA250
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29486/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX96LA250

## Probable cause

the student pilot misjudged the landing flare resulting in a hard landing.  A factor in the accident was high airspeed.

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - airspeed(vref) - excessive, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - flare - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - runway
  - landing gear,nose gear - bent

## Analysis

The pilot was number 2 to land behind another aircraft on the runway.  The pilot made several power adjustments to slow the airplane to increase the spacing while on final approach.  The pilot then increased power to stay above stall speed.  As the airplane flew over the runway threshold the speed was too high and the pilot misjudged the flare and bounced hard during touchdown.

## Factual narrative

On June 29, 1996, at 1052 hours Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 172, N9408L, collided with runway 26 at the Camarillo, California, airport.  The airplane was being operated by Sun Air Aviation, Inc., Camarillo, as an instructional flight when the accident occurred.  The airplane sustained substantial damage and the student pilot was not injured.  The local flight originated from the Camarillo airport.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time.

The pilot indicated on his accident report he was number 2 to land behind another aircraft on runway 26.  He made several power adjustments to slow the airplane and increase his spacing.  He then increased power to stay above stall speed.  He believed that as he flew over the runway threshold the speed was too great.  The pilot indicated he misjudged the flare and bounced hard during touchdown.

Postflight examination of the airplane revealed the firewall had been bent.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9408L](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9408L), registered now, S/N 17276551, built 1986 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Cessna 172
- Registry model: [Cessna 172P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172p) (registry code 2072436) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 172-76551
- Airframe hours: 7761
- Engines: Lycoming O-320-1D2J 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Sun Air Aviaition, Inc.
- Registered owner: Lawrence, Oscar L.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 28, 1996, 3 hours before
- Departed: CMA
- Airport: CMA, Camarillo, runway 26, 6,010 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 23 total, 23 in this make and model, 19 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: CMA

## 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 19960629016049A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960629016049A), Jun 29, 1996: Cessna 172P, Camarillo, CA, Substantial damage. Made hard landing. Bounced.

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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