# NTSB MIA90LA080: Cessna 172N, N73929, Clearwater, FL, March 7, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 7, 1990, 15:15 local (20:15 UTC)
- Place: Clearwater, FL
- Location: 27.9772° N, 82.7591° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at CLEARWATER EXEC (CLW), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.9772&lon=-82.7591&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 5, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32632
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA90LA080
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32632/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA90LA080

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER FLARE AND IMPROPER RECOVERY FROM A BOUNCED LANDING, WHICH RESULTED IN A PORPOISE AND LOSS OF AIRCRAFT CONTROL.  FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE GUSTY CROSSWIND, AND FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN RUNWAY ALIGNMENT.

## Analysis

THE PLT MADE AN APCH TO LAND ON RWY 15 WITH THE WIND FROM 090 DEG AT 12 GUSTING 15 KTS.  DURING THE LANDING, THE ACFT PORPOISED TWICE.  ON THE 2ND PORPOISE, THE PLT ALLOWED THE AIRPLANE TO DRIFT WEST OF THE RWY.  DURING TOUCHDOWN, THE NOSE WHEEL DUG INTO THE DIRT & THE ACFT NOSED OVER.

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - flare - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - recovery from bounced landing - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, landing - flare/touchdown
  - porpoise/pilot-induced oscillation - inadvertent, pilot in command
  - proper alignment - not maintained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Nose over, landing

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N73929](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N73929), registered now, S/N 17267753, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172N
- Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 67753
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Suncoast Aviation Inc
- Registered owner: Suncoast Aviation
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: 100 hour, November 26, 1990, 42 hours before
- Departed: CLW
- Airport: CLW, Clearwater, runway 15, 3,300 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 113 total, 20 in this make and model, 64 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 12 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 61 °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 19900307003489A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900307003489A), Mar 7, 1990: Cessna 172N, Clearwater, FL, Substantial damage. Lost control and porpoised, ran off runway on landing. Nose wheel dug in sand. Aircraft flipped over.

## Other investigations on N73929 (1)

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 ERA17LA293](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA17LA293), Aug 21, 2017: Cessna 172 (N73929), Guntersville, AL, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control on takeoff.

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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