# NTSB MIA88LA235: Cessna 172M, N12840, Plymouth, FL, July 23, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 23, 1988, 14:15 local (18:15 UTC)
- Place: Plymouth, FL
- Location: 28.7066° N, 81.5814° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at ORLANDO APOPKA (X04), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.7066&lon=-81.5814&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 11, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32219
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA88LA235
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32219/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA88LA235

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Main gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - landing gear,main gear attachment - sheared (cause)
  - landing gear,main gear attachment - previous damage (cause)
  - landing gear,main gear attachment - loose (contributing factor)

## Analysis

AFTER A NORMAL LNDG, DURING THE LNDG ROLL AT APRX 50-55 MPH, THE ACFT ROLLED THROUGH A 1-2' DEEP PUDDLE OF WATER. THE ACFT SLOWED & AT APRX 35 MPH, THE RT MAIN LNDG GEAR SLOWLY BEGAN ROTATING AFT. THE ACFT CAME TO REST SUPPORTED BY THE RT HORIZONTAL STABILIZER & THE NOSE & LEFT MAIN LNDG GEAR. EXAMINATION OF THE FAILED GEAR REVEALED THE ATTACH BOLT FOR THE GEAR SPRING ASSY FAILED, ALLOWING THE GEAR TO ROTATE AFT. EXAMINATION OF THE BOLT REVEALED IT FAILED DUE TO EXCESS SHEAR LOADS PLACED ON IT DURING TORSIONAL LOADING OF THE UPPER END OF THE LNDG GEAR TUBE. THE BOLT ALSO SHOWED EVIDENCE OF FRETTING. HARDNESS TESTS PERFORMED REVEALED THE BOLT WAS WITHIN SPECIFICATIONS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N12840](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N12840), registered now, S/N 17262304, built 1973 (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: 17262304
- Airframe hours: 2800
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Larson, David A.
- Registered owner: Darson, David A
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 11, 1988, 15 hours before
- Airport: X04, Orlando County, runway 15, 3,000 × 30 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 740 total, 500 in this make and model, 728 as pilot in command, 38 in the last 90 days, 14 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 15,000 ft broken
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ORL, 17 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 19880723027629A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880723027629A), Jul 23, 1988: Cessna 172M, Plymouth, FL, Substantial damage. Right main landing gear attach bolts failed when the aircraft rolled through a water puddle. Repeated overstresses.

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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