# NTSB MIA97LA030: Cessna 172N, N739ZA, Olive Branch, MS, November 24, 1996

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 24, 1996, 13:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Olive Branch, MS
- Coordinates: 34.949321, -89.819076 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.9493&lon=-89.8191&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 30, 1997
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 38182
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA97LA030
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/38182/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA97LA030

## Probable cause

the pilot's improper flare and improper recovery from a ballooned/bounced landing.  The gusty wind was a related factor.

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - flare - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - recovery from bounced landing - improper, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

The student pilot stated that after making an approach to runway 18, '. . . the airplane ballooned on the landing and I could not keep it on the ground . . . .'  The airplane then touched down hard and was damaged. The wind was reported to be from 170 degrees at 15 gusting 17 knots.

## Factual narrative

On November 24, 1996, about 1300 central standard time, a Cessna 172N, N739ZA, registered to Wings, Inc., was damaged during a hard landing at Olive Branch Airport, Olive Branch, Mississippi, while on a Title 14 CFR Part 91 instructional flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The aircraft received substantial damage and the student pilot was not injured. The flight originated from Olive Branch, the same day, about 1200.

The pilot stated he was performing takeoffs and landings. On the last landing the aircraft "ballooned" and then landed hard at which time the aircraft was damaged. The pilot stated he had no mechanical problems with the aircraft.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N739ZA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N739ZA-2013-05-07), registration cancelled 2013-05-07, S/N 17270926, built 1978 (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: 172-70926
- Airframe hours: 2888
- Engines: Lycoming O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Douglas Aviation
- Registered owner: Wings, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: 100 hour, September 13, 1996, 83 hours before
- Departed: OLV
- Airport: OLV, Olive Branch, runway 18, 6,000 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 26; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 53 total, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 170° at 15 knots, gusting 17
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MEM, 10 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 19961124036329A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19961124036329A), Nov 24, 1996: Cessna 172N, Olive Branch, MS, Substantial damage. Ballooned landing then landed hard causing damage. Improper or no recovery action. (-23) while practicing solo landings on his fourth landing the aircraft…

## Other investigations on N739ZA (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 ATL98LA094](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL98LA094), Jul 6, 1998: Cessna 172N (N739ZA), Olive Branch, MS, substantial damage. Probable cause: the student pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during 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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