# NTSB LAX98LA012: Mikoyan MiG MIG 15UTI, N17KM, Reno, NV, October 16, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 16, 1997, 12:30 local (19:30 UTC) - Place: Reno, NV - Location: 39.5296° N, 119.8138° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Reno, NV, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.5296&lon=-119.8138&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor - Status: Completed, report January 28, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 29976 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX98LA012 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29976/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX98LA012 ## Probable cause The pilot's misjudged landing flare and improper bounced landing recovery technique. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown - flare - misjudged, pilot in command (cause) - Nose over, landing - roll - recovery from bounced landing - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The pilot reported that his traffic pattern approach and final approach airspeed to the runway appeared normal, and no mechanical malfunctions were experienced during the flight. The airplane touched down hard on the runway and thereafter bounced several times. The pilot attempted to recover but he lost control after the left wing contacted the runway. The airplane rolled over and slid 1,750 feet before coming to a stop upside down. ## Factual narrative On October 16, 1997, about 1230 hours Pacific daylight time, a Mikoyan Gurevich, MIG 15UTI, N17KM, owned and operated by the pilot, made a hard bounced landing on runway 14 at the uncontrolled Reno/Stead Airport, Reno, Nevada. The airplane was substantially damaged, and the airline transport certificated pilot was seriously injured. The passenger received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time, and no flight plan was filed for the local area personal flight. The flight originated from Stead about 1200. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspectors examined the airplane, the accident site, and they interviewed the pilot, the passenger, and a witness. In summary, the FAA indicated that during the accident flight the pilot planned to perform a touch-and-go landing. The pilot did not indicate that any unusual occurrences transpired during the flight, and his traffic pattern approach to runway 14 was normal. On final approach the airplane's landing speed was normal as the airplane descended. The airplane bounced on the runway and thereafter was in a 20-degree pitch up attitude. The pilot indicated that he attempted to recover, however, the airplane bounced on the runway at least one more time. The pilot stated that he lost control after the next hard bounce, and the left wing lowered. The FAA reported that physical evidence was observed of the airplane's left wing tip contacting the runway surface, and thereafter, the left external fuel cell separated from the wing. The airplane rolled over and slid to a stop approximately 1,750 feet down the runway. According to the pilot, no mechanical malfunctions were experienced during the flight. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N17KM](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N17KM-2004-05-10), registration cancelled 2004-05-10, S/N 1A08017, built 1955 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Mikoyan MiG MIG 15UTI - Registry model: [Mikoyan Gurevich MIG 15UTI](https://openairdocs.org/model/mikoyan-gurevich-mig-15uti) (registry code 056129C) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Klimov VK-1A](https://openairdocs.org/engine/klimov-vk-1a) (registry code 37600, turbo-jet) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 1A08017 - Airframe hours: 3065 - Engines: Klimov VK-1 5900 lbs thrust turbo jet - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Howard A. Torman - Registered owner: Tacair Systems - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: AAIP, October 16, 1997, 0 hours before - Departed: 4SD - Destination: 4SD - Airport: 4SD, Reno/Stead, runway 14, 8,080 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 50; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 1,736 total, 142 in this make and model, 1,600 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 20 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 19971016031329A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19971016031329A), Oct 16, 1997: Amtrmi MIG15UTI, Reno, NV, Substantial damage. The pilot reported that his traffic pattern approach and final approach airspeed to the runway appeared normal, and no mechanical malfunctions were experienced… 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.