# NTSB LAX97LA053: Cessna 172P, N54686, Van Nuys, CA, November 25, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 25, 1996, 13:35 local (21:35 UTC) - Place: Van Nuys, CA - Coordinates: 34.189342, -118.490562 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.1893&lon=-118.4906&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 30, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 29691 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX97LA053 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29691/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX97LA053 ## Probable cause improper flare by the pilot during the landing, and his improper recovery from a bounced landing, which resulted in a hard landing, dragged wing tip, and a collapsed main gear. ## 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) - recovery from bounced landing - improper, pilot in command (cause) - Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, landing - Main gear collapsed, landing - landing gear,main gear - overload ## Analysis During a private pilot practical flight test, the applicant (a student pilot) made a simulated soft field approach, and the aircraft bounced 5 to 6 feet in the air after touchdown. The student decided to go-around and applied full power, but the aircraft rolled left and drug its left wing tip. The flight examiner attempted to take control of the aircraft, but was unable to prevent it from again colliding with the runway. At the time of the accident, a 5-knot/80-degree left crosswind was reported. According to the aircraft manufacturer, the crosswind component was within the aircraft performance parameters. ## Factual narrative On November 25, 1996, at 1335 hours Pacific standard time, a Cessna 172P, N54686, collided with the runway after a bounced landing at the Van Nuys, California, airport. The aircraft sustained substantial damage; however, neither the designated pilot examiner nor the private pilot applicant was injured. The flight originated in Van Nuys about 1200. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The applicant had made a simulated soft field approach to runway 16R when the aircraft bounced about 5 to 6 feet in the air. He decided to go-around and applied full power, but the aircraft responded by rolling left until its left wing tip drug along the runway. The examiner attempted to take control of the aircraft but was unable to prevent it from again colliding with the runway. During the second impact sequence, the propeller and right wing tip struck the runway and both the nose gear and right main gear collapsed. The aircraft came to rest off the left side of the runway. At the time of the accident a 5-knot, 80-degree left crosswind was reported. According to the aircraft manufacturer, the crosswind component is within the aircraft performance parameters. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N54686](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N54686-2018-01-24), registration cancelled 2018-01-24, S/N 17275036, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172P - 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: 17275036 - Airframe hours: 5381 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-D2J 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 91 - Operator: Dls Ventures, Inc., doing business as Flightworks - Registered owner: Dennis Shelby, Mike Fenton - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility - Last inspection: 100 hour, October 14, 1996, 40 hours before - Departed: VNY, CA - Airport: VNY, Van Nuys, runway 16R, 8,001 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 33; student; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 69 total, 69 in this make and model, 24 as pilot in command, 32 in the last 90 days, 14 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 80° at 5 knots - Visibility: 25 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 16 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: VNY ## 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 19961125045949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19961125045949A), Nov 25, 1996: Cessna 172P, Van Nuys, CA, Substantial damage. (.4) During a private pilot practical flight test, the applicant (a student pilot) made a simulated soft field approach, and the aircraft bounced 5 to 6 feet… 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.