# NTSB MIA94LA205: Cessna 172N, N734QA, Orlando, FL, September 3, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 3, 1994, 11:10 local (15:10 UTC)
- Place: Orlando, FL
- Coordinates: 28.559717, -81.350021 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.5597&lon=-81.3500&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 18, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 37597
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA94LA205
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37597/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA94LA205

## Probable cause

The pilot-in-command's improper landing flare/touchdown, resulting in a hard landing, and subsequent separation of the nose gear.

## 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)
  - altitude - excessive, pilot in command
  - landing gear,nose gear - separation

## Analysis

The student pilot was making a VFR approach to a full stop landing. The pilot stated he misjudged his altitude, and flared too high, resulting in a hard landing. The airplane became airborne, and bounced again. The nosewheel separated, and the airplane ran off the right side of the runway.

## Factual narrative

On September 3, 1994, about 1110 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172N, N734QA, registered to Aero Vations Inc., operating as a 14 CFR Part 91 instructional flight, crashed on landing at the Orlando Executive Airport, Orlando, Florida. The airplane sustained substantial damage and the student pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a VFR flight plan was filed. The flight originated from the Hernando County Airport, Brooksville, Florida, 40 minutes before the accident.

The student pilot stated he was making a VFR approach to runway 25. He misjudged his altitude, and flared too high, resulting in a hard landing. The airplane bounced, became airborne, and bounced again. The nosewheel separated, and the airplane ran off the right side of the runway.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N734QA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N734QA-2024-02-10), registration cancelled 2024-02-10, S/N 17269020, built 1977 (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: 17269020
- Airframe hours: 2412
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Aero  Vations  Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, August 4, 1994, 7 hours before
- Departed: BKV, BROOKSVILLE, FL
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: ORL, Orlando  Executive, runway 25, 6,000 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 55 total, 15 in this make and model, 3 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 75 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ORL

## 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 19940903025449A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940903025449A), Sep 3, 1994: Cessna 172N, Orlando, FL, Substantial damage. Flared too high landing. Bounced porpoised. Collapsed nose gear. Slid off runway.

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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