# NTSB MIA99LA239: Cessna 172N, N4521E, Olive Branch, MS, August 27, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 27, 1999, 10:00 local (15:00 UTC) - Place: Olive Branch, MS - Coordinates: 34.949974, -89.820365 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.9500&lon=-89.8204&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 30, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 47220 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA99LA239 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/47220/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA99LA239 ## Probable cause the pilot misjudged the flare, resulting in the nose gear impacting the runway, and a 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) - In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown - terrain condition - runway ## Analysis On final approach the pilot said he held 75 knots IAS, and over the runway threshold, he decreased airspeed to between 65 and 70 knots. Once in ground effect, he tried to raise the nose slightly above the end of the runway. During the flare, the nosewheel hit first causing a bounce and the airplane started to porpoise. He attempted to recover by applying back-pressure. Once on the ground he taxied to the parking ramp, shut the airplane down, and noted the nose gear was damaged. The pilot reported that the winds were calm. He did not report any control, or engine problems. ## Factual narrative On August 27, 1999, about 1000 central daylight time, a Cessna 172N, N4521E, registered to Douglas Aviation Inc., impacted with the ground during a landing at the Olive Branch Airport, Olive Branch, Mississippi. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time, and no flight plan was filed for the 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The commercial-rated pilot and one passenger reported no injuries. The flight had departed from the same airport at 0920. The pilot was doing touch-and-go landings on runway 18, and had been flying in the traffic pattern for about 1/2 hour. He said, "...on final, I held 75 knots IAS...over runway threshold, I decreased airspeed between 65 and 70 knots. Once in ground effect, I tried to raise the nose slightly above the end of the runway. During the flare, the nosewheel hit first causing a bounce and the airplane started to porpoise. I was at flight idle on the landing. I tried to recover by applying back-pressure and getting the airplane on the ground in a safe manner." Once on the ground he taxied to the parking ramp, shut the airplane down, and noted the nose gear was damaged. The pilot reported that the winds were calm. He did not report any control, or engine problems. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4521E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4521E-2018-01-23), registration cancelled 2018-01-23, S/N 17271620, 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: 17271620 - Airframe hours: 8785 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Douglas Aviation Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 12, 1999, 35 hours before - Airport: OLV, Olive Branch, runway 18, 6,000 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 26; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 907 total, 139 in this make and model, 441 as pilot in command, 164 in the last 90 days, 91 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 160° at 8 knots - Visibility: 6 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 68 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: MEM, 13 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 19990827026929A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990827026929A), Aug 27, 1999: Cessna 172N, Olive Branch, MS, Substantial damage. (.19) On August 27, 1999, about 1000 central daylight time, a Cessna 172N, N4521E, registered to Douglas aviation inc., impacted with the ground during a… 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.