# NTSB LAX97LA297: Cessna 172RG, N9710B, Lancaster, CA, August 21, 1997

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 21, 1997, 16:02 local (23:02 UTC)
- Place: Lancaster, CA
- Coordinates: 34.720413, -118.479751 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.7204&lon=-118.4798&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 9, 1999
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 29880
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX97LA297
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29880/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX97LA297

## Probable cause

Improper flare.

## 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)
- Gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown
  - landing gear,main gear - collapsed

## Analysis

The pilot landed hard, the left main landing gear collapsed, and the aircraft veered to the left off the runway.  The air traffic control tower reported that the winds were from 220 degrees at 18 knots at the time of the accident.  The pilot stated that the landing gear position indicator lights reflected that the gear was down before touchdown.

## Factual narrative

On August 21, 1997, at 1602 hours Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 172RG, N9710B, veered left off the runway after the left main landing gear collapsed during landing at the General William J. Fox Airport, Lancaster, California.  The airplane was substantially damaged and the certificated private pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured.  The pilot operated the airplane as a personal flight when the accident occurred.  The flight originated in Santa Monica, California at 1505.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed.

The pilot reported that after he landed on runway 24, the left main landing gear collapsed and the aircraft veered to the left off the runway.  The winds were reported by the air traffic control tower as being from 220 degrees at 18 knots at the time of the accident.  The pilot stated that the landing gear position indicator lights reflected that the gear was down before touchdown.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9710B](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9710B), registered now, S/N 172RG0983 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Cessna 172RG
- Registry model: [Cessna 172RG](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172rg) (registry code 2072438) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 172RG0983
- Airframe hours: 6237
- Engines: Lycoming O-360-F1A6 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Justice Aviation Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, July 29, 1997
- Departed: SMO, SANTA MONICA, CA
- Destination: WJF
- Airport: WJF, General Wm. J. Fox Field, runway 24, 5,001 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 375 total, 160 in this make and model, 340 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 18 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 97 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: WJF

## 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 19970821023249A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970821023249A), Aug 21, 1997: Cessna 172RG, Lancaster, CA, Substantial damage. Aircraft left main gear collapsed during touch and go landing. (.4)the pilot landed hard, the left main landing gear collapsed, and the aircraft veered to the…

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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