# NTSB LAX99LA250: Cessna 172M, N73113, Fresno, CA, July 10, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 10, 1999, 08:00 local (15:00 UTC) - Place: Fresno, CA - Coordinates: 36.7994, -119.799491 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.7994&lon=-119.7995&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 14, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 46808 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX99LA250 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/46808/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX99LA250 ## Probable cause The pilot's misjudged landing flare and inadequate recovery procedures from the subsequent bounced landing. ## 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) - recovery from bounced landing - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The pilot flew over the airport and determined the winds were light. On final approach he set the flaps to 30 degrees and maintained 68 to 70 knots. About 1/8 mile from the runway, he reduced power to idle. He began his flare over the runway numbers and noted the airplane continued to float over the runway. He gently raised the nose and heard the stall warning horn; however, the airplane continued to float. The airplane dropped onto the main landing gear, bounced into the air, came down on the nose gear, and bounced into the air again. The pilot was aware that the nose tire had blown so he added power, kept the control yoke back, and settled onto the runway. He then taxied to a parking spot. A mechanic replaced the nose tire and cleared the airplane for flight. The pilot departed and returned to Fresno. Subsequent inspection revealed the firewall was wrinkled. ## Factual narrative On July 10, 1999, at 0800 hours Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 172M, N73113, sustained substantial damage during a hard landing at Sierra Sky Park near Fresno, California. The rented airplane was operated by Central California Aviation, Inc., under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The private pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The pilot departed Fresno Yosemite International Airport (FAT) about 0745 for a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The pilot stated he flew over the airport and determined the light winds were favorable for landing on runway 30. On final approach he set the flaps to 30 degrees and maintained 68 to 70 knots. About 1/8 mile from the runway, he reduced power to idle. He began his flare over the runway numbers and noted the airplane continued to float over the runway. He stated he gently raised the nose and heard the stall warning horn; however, the airplane continued to float. The airplane dropped onto the main gear, then bounced into the air. The nose gear then touched down and the pilot said he was immediately aware that the nose tire had blown. The airplane bounced into the air again, the pilot added power, kept the control yoke back, settled onto the runway, and stopped. He then taxied to a parking spot. The operator dispatched a mechanic to replace the nose tire, and that work was completed about 1230. The mechanic informed the pilot the airplane was ready for flight. The pilot departed about 1330 and returned to Fresno. Subsequent inspection revealed the firewall was wrinkled. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N73113](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N73113), registered now, S/N 17267269, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172M - Registry model: [Cessna 172M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172m) (registry code 2072418) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17267269 - Airframe hours: 4354 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Central California Aviation In - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, July 7, 1999, 5 hours before - Departed: FAT, CA - Destination: Q60 - Airport: Q60, Sierra Sky Park, runway 30, 2,920 × 50 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 60; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 85 total, 16 in this make and model, 17 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 22,000 ft broken - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: FAT, 9 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 19990710008939A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990710008939A), Jul 10, 1999: Cessna 172M, Fresno, CA, Substantial damage. Acft landed hard and sustained substantial damage. (.19) on July 10, 1999, at 0800 hours pacific daylight time, a Cessna 172, N73113, sustained substantial… 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.