# NTSB LAX97LA293: Cessna 188, N9957J, Eloy, AZ, August 15, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 15, 1997, 07:00 local (14:00 UTC) - Place: Eloy, AZ - Location: 32.8067° N, 111.5866° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at ELOY MUNI (E60), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.8067&lon=-111.5866&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 10, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 29876 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX97LA293 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29876/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX97LA293 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper recovery from a bounced landing and his failure to maintain directional control due to inadequate rudder use. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - flare/touchdown - flare - misjudged, pilot in command (contributing factor) - recovery from bounced landing - improper, pilot in command (cause) - rudder - improper use of, pilot in command (cause) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command - Gear collapsed, landing - landing gear,main gear - overload ## Analysis The pilot said he had been out practicing steep turns, banks, and stalls prior to conducting five to six low approaches over the runway. On his first landing attempt he set the aircraft up at 75 mph with flaps 20 degrees, and touched down just past the runway numbers. The pilot said the airplane bounced back in the air so he lowered the nose. He stated the aircraft stalled and contacted the runway. He was unable to maintain directional control of the aircraft with the rudder and the airplane veered to the right. The pilot said he applied left rudder and brakes and the airplane skidded into an 180-degree turn. The main landing gear sheered off during the skidding turn. ## Factual narrative On August 15, 1997, at 0700 hours mountain standard time, a Cessna 188, N9957J, ground looped during a landing attempt at Eloy, Arizona. The aircraft sustained substantial damage and the commercial pilot was not injured. The personal flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91 when the accident occurred. The flight originated at Eloy just prior to the accident. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. An Federal Aviation Administration airworthiness inspector said the pilot told him he had been out practicing steep turns, banks, and stalls prior to conducting five to six low approaches over the runway. On his first landing attempt he said he set the aircraft up at 75 mph, flaps 20 degrees, and touched down just past the runway numbers. The pilot said the airplane bounced back in the air so he lowered the nose. He stated the aircraft stalled and contacted the runway. He was unable to maintain directional control of the aircraft with the rudder and the airplane veered to the right. The pilot said he applied left rudder and brakes and the airplane skidded into an 180-degree turn. The main landing gear sheered off during the skidding turn. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9957J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9957J-2006-09-05), registration cancelled 2006-09-05, S/N T18803886T, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 188 - Registry model: [Cessna T188C](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-t188c) (registry code 2073012) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-520-series) (registry code 17040, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18803886T - Airframe hours: 5041 - Engines: Continental TSIO-520T 310 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Terry Hamilton - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, February 23, 1997, 4 hours before - Departed: E60, AZ - Airport: E60, Eloy Municipal, runway 2, 3,900 × 60 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 34; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 640 total, 40 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 160° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 70 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: TUS, 53 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 19970815022709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970815022709A), Aug 15, 1997: Cessna T188C, Eloy, AZ, Substantial damage. On August 15, 1997, at 0700 hours mountain standard time, a Cessna 188, N9957J, ground looped during a landing attempt at Eloy, Arizona. The aircraft sustained… ## Other investigations on N9957J (4) 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 CHI00LA198](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI00LA198), Jul 15, 2000: Cessna T188C (N9957J), Rock Dell, MN, substantial damage. Probable cause: the failure of the pilot to maintain clearance with the terrain. - [NTSB CHI98LA240](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI98LA240), Jul 6, 1998: Cessna T188C (N9957J), Austin, MN, substantial damage. Probable cause: the improper maintenance by other maintenance personnel. Factors were the throttle control not safetied, the crops, and unsuitable terrain encountered by the pilot - [NTSB FTW89DQG06](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW89DQG06), Sep 5, 1989: Cessna T188C (N9957J), Levelland, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: A PARTIAL BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURE DUE TO A LEAK IN THE LEFT BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER. - [NTSB LAX83LA142](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83LA142), Mar 16, 1983: Cessna T188C (N9957J), Clarksburg, 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.