# NTSB NYC04CA134: Cessna 172M, N73704, Worcester, MA, May 29, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 29, 2004, 12:30 local (16:30 UTC) - Place: Worcester, MA - Coordinates: 42.267223, -71.875556 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.2672&lon=-71.8756&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report September 1, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Windsor Locks FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 59353 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC04CA134 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/59353/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC04CA134 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper recovery from a bounced landing, and his inadequate compensation for wind conditions. A factor in the accident was the gusting wind. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, landing - flare/touchdown - recovery from bounced landing - improper, pilot in command (cause) - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - runway ## Analysis According to the pilot, while landing on runway 29, he crossed the threshold at an airspeed of 75 knots, to compensate for wind gusts. At an altitude about 25-30 feet above the ground, he felt all lift dissipate, and the airplane dropped to the pavement. The airplane then bounced on the runway, and the pilot heard the stall warning horn. He then applied full power and initiated a go-around. At the same time, the left wing dropped and the airplane impacted the ground. ## Factual narrative On May 29, 2004, approximately 1230 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172M, N73704, was substantially damaged while landing at the Worcester Regional Airport (ORH), Worcester, Massachusetts. The certificated private pilot received serious injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to the pilot, while landing on runway 29, he crossed the threshold at an airspeed of 75 knots, to compensate for wind gusts. At an altitude about 25-30 feet above the ground, he felt all lift "instantaneously go away," and the airplane dropped to the pavement "like a stone." The airplane then bounced on the runway, and the pilot heard the stall warning horn. He then applied full power and initiated a go-around. At the same time, the left wing dropped and the airplane impacted the ground. The winds reported at ORH, at 1254, were from 290 degrees, at 21 knots, gusting to 27 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N73704](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N73704-2006-09-20), registration cancelled 2006-09-20, S/N 17267617, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172M - 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: 17267617 - Airframe hours: 7285 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Amity Flight School - Registered owner: Capuano LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 21, 2004, 55 hours before - Departed: ORH, Worcester, MA - Destination: ORH - Airport: ORH, Worcester Regional Airport, runway 29, 7,000 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 53; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review December 24, 2002; seat: left; flight hours: 170 total, 46 in this make and model, 99 as pilot in command, 11 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 290° at 21 knots, gusting 27 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 28 °F - Altimeter: 29.87 inHg - Observed at: ORH ## 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 20040529017209A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040529017209A), May 29, 2004: Cessna 172M, Worcester, MA, Substantial damage. (-23) While landing on runway 29 at Worcester airport (orh) the pilot lost control of aircraft and exited runway 29 1300 feet down and to the left in a grass… 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.