# NTSB NYC83LA217: Cessna 172M, N444FS, Somerville, NJ, August 20, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 19, 1983, 20:50 local (Aug 20, 1983, 00:50 UTC)
- Place: Somerville, NJ
- Location: 40.5828° N, 74.7367° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at SOLBERG/HUNTERDON (N51), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.5828&lon=-74.7367&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35255
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC83LA217
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35255/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC83LA217

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - flare - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, landing - flare/touchdown
  - remedial action - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, AS THE FLIGHT NEARED THE RUNWAY IT WAS FLARED FOR TOUCHDOWN. HOWEVER, THE AIRCRAFT BOUNCED AND THE PILOT IMMEDIATELY APPLIED FULL POWER, PUSHED THE NOSE FORWARD AND RAISED THE ELECTRIC FLAP LEVER. THE AIRCRAFT DID NOT SEEM TO CLIMB AND FELT MUSHY. AT THIS TIME THE NOSE WAS PUSHED FORWARD AND IN A SHORT TIME THE PLANE STRUCK THE GROUND, BOUNCED AND THEN SETTLED ON THE SECOND BOUNCE. THE PILOT HAD VISUAL CONTACT WITH THE RUNWAY LIGHTS BUT AFTER PASSING THE LIGHTS, IT BECAME COMPLETELY DARK WITH ALMOST NO FORWARD VISION TO THE HORIZON.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N444FS](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N444FS-2012-11-30), registration cancelled 2012-11-30, S/N 17261632, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172M
- Registry model: [Cessna 172M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172m) (registry code 2072418) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 172-61632
- Airframe hours: 3488
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Alpha Flying Club
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 20, 1983, 37 hours before
- Departed: 7MY, MT. HOLLY, NJ
- Destination: N51
- Airport: N51, Solberg-Hunterdon, runway 22, 3,670 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 349 total, 34 in this make and model, 276 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19830819045339A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830819045339A), Aug 19, 1983: Cessna 172M, Solberg, NJ, Substantial damage. Bounced on night landing. Lost control and came down hard on the nose wheel. Airport was closed but lights were on.

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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