# NTSB MKC89LA157: Cessna 172, N6938H, Crystal, MN, July 9, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 9, 1989, 15:25 local (20:25 UTC)
- Place: Crystal, MN
- Coordinates: 45.059558, -93.379783 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.0596&lon=-93.3798&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 29, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34829
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC89LA157
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34829/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC89LA157

## Probable cause

AIRCRAFT CONTROL WAS NOT MAINTAINED BY THE PILOT IN COMMAND, DUE TO AN IMPROPER LANDING FLARE WHICH RESULTED IN SEVERAL BOUNCES. THE LANDING GEAR FAILED IN OVERLOAD DURING THE BOUNCED LANDING.

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - excessive, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - flare - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose gear collapsed, landing

## Analysis

THE PVT PLT SAID THAT UPON ARRIVING AT HIS DESTINATION APT AFTER A PERSONAL CROSS COUNTRY FLT, HE BOUNCED SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE THE NOSE GEAR COLLAPSED. THE ACFT SLID TO A STOP ABOUT TWO THIRDS DOWN RUNWAY 13. THE LOCAL WINDS WERE FROM 140 DEGREES AT ABOUT 16 KNOTS GUSTING TO 26. THE PILOT SAID THAT HE FELT HIS FINAL APPROACH SPEED WAS TOO GREAT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6938H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6938H-1990-08-28), registration cancelled 1990-08-28, S/N 17265654 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- Registry model: [Cessna 172M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172m) (registry code 2072418) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17265654
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Yankee Flying Club, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Departed: STC, ST. CLOUD, MN
- Destination: MIC
- Airport: MIC, Crystal, runway 19, 3,264 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 188 total, 88 in this make and model, 179 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 140° at 16 knots, gusting 26
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 97 °F, dew point 75 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MIC, 1 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 19890709021089A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890709021089A), Jul 9, 1989: Cessna 172M, Minneapolis, MN, Substantial damage. Bounced and porpoised landing in gusty surface wind. Nose gear collapsed on final bounce. Pilot skill a factor.

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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