# NTSB NYC05LA125: Cessna 172P, N98730, Caldwell, NJ, July 28, 2005 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 28, 2005, 16:20 local (20:20 UTC) - Place: Caldwell, NJ - Coordinates: 40.875, -74.281112 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.8750&lon=-74.2811&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 30, 2006 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 62076 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC05LA125 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/62076/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC05LA125 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper flare, which resulted in a hard landing. A factor was a partial loss of engine power, as reported by the pilot, for undetermined reasons. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, go-around (vfr) - reason for occurrence undetermined (contributing factor) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - Hard landing, emergency landing - flare - improper, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The student pilot was "too high" and "too fast" during final approach to the runway, and initiated a go-around. As he applied full power, he noticed that the noise of the engine did not seem to accelerate, and the engine rpm began to decrease. He then prepared for a forced landing to the grass beyond the departure end of the runway. During the landing, the airplane "hit hard" on the right main landing gear. Examination of the engine revealed no mechanical deficiencies, and the student pilot reported 45 hours of total flight experience, all of which were in the accident airplane make and model. ## Factual narrative On July 28, 2005, at 1620 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172P, N98730, was substantially damaged during a forced landing at the Essex County Airport (CDW), Caldwell, New Jersey. The certificated student pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed, for the local solo instructional flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to the student pilot, he was "too high" and "too fast" during final approach to the runway, and he initiated a go-around near the second intersecting taxiway. As he applied full power, he noticed that the noise of the engine did not seem to accelerate, and the engine rpm began to decrease. The pilot then prepared for a forced landing to the grass beyond the departure end of the runway. During the landing, the airplane "hit hard" on the right main landing gear. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector examined the airplane after the accident. According to the inspector, substantial damage was observed to the firewall of the airplane, and both propeller blades displayed S-bending and chordwise scratching. Manual rotation of the engine revealed "good" compression at all the cylinders. A check of the engine timing revealed no anomalies, and the magnetos were examined and produced spark at all leads. The spark plugs, ignition system, and fuel lines were examined and no deficiencies were noted. A sample of fuel taken from the carburetor bowl was free of contamination, and a functional test of the accelerator pump, revealed no mechanical anomalies. The airplane was "topped off" with fuel prior to the accident flight, and the total duration of the accident flight was approximately 0.2 hours. Additionally, the flaps were observed in the retracted position. The student pilot reported 45 hours of total flight experience, all of which were in the accident airplane make and model. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N98730](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N98730-2006-09-21), registration cancelled 2006-09-21, S/N 17276340, built 1985 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172P - Registry model: [Cessna 172P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172p) (registry code 2072436) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17276340 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Mac Dan Aviation - Registered owner: MD Aeronautical Corp - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Departed: CDW, Caldwell, NJ - Destination: CDW - Airport: CDW, Essex County Airport, runway 22, 4,553 × 80 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Student pilot; age 18; injuries: none; student; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 45 total, 45 in this make and model, 1 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 260° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 6,000 ft broken - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 30.02 inHg - Observed at: CDW ## 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 20050728026859A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050728026859A), Jul 28, 2005: Cessna 172P, Caldwell, NJ, Substantial damage. (-23) 07/28/05 2020Z LCL 1620E aircraft lost power to the engine while practicing touch and go landings on rwy 22. The aircraft landed 200 ft off end of rwy 22… ## Other investigations on N98730 (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 NYC96LA149](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC96LA149), Jul 13, 1996: Cessna 172P (N98730), Fairfield, NJ, substantial damage. Probable cause: the pilot's improper aborted takeoff by extending full flaps which resulted in a porpoise. Subsequently, the airplane veered off the runway and the nose gear collapsed. 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.