# NTSB NYC94LA107: Cessna 172P, N97000, Newport News, VA, July 2, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 2, 1994, 15:05 local (19:05 UTC)
- Place: Newport News, VA
- Coordinates: 37.109889, -76.519172 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.1099&lon=-76.5192&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 3 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 26, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 38775
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC94LA107
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/38775/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC94LA107

## Probable cause

The pilot's (1) improper recovery from a bounced landing and (2) failure to maintain aircraft control.

## 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)
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

THE AIRPLANE WAS LANDING WHEN, ACCORDING TO WITNESSES, IT TOUCHED DOWN AND THEN BECAME AIRBORNE AGAIN. THE LEFT WING DROPPED AND CONTACTED THE GROUND ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY. THE AIRPLANE CARTWHEELED AND CAME TO REST OFF THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY. THE PILOT REPORTED: 'DURING THE ACCIDENT, I SUSTAINED A HEAD INJURY WHICH RENDERED ME UNCONSCIOUS.' CONSEQUENTLY, ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, HE DOES NOT REMEMBER THE ACCIDENT. THE PILOT REPORTED NO MECHANICAL MALFUNCTIONS.

## Factual narrative

On July 2, 1994, at 1505 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172P, N97000, operated by Flight International, of Newport News, Virginia, struck the ground while landing at Patrick Henry Field, Newport News.  The airplane received substantial damage.  The pilot and two passengers received minor injuries.  One passenger was not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed for the flight which operated under 14 CFR Part 91.

In the NTSB Accident Report, the pilot stated:

...I contacted the tower and received clearance to land      runway 20.  From this point until after the accident I      have no memory.  During the accident I sustained a head      injury which rendered me unconscious.  Additionally I      have lost any memory of the transition period.  My next      moment of awareness was sitting on the grass on the      field with the fire/rescue personnel

The FAA reported witnesses observed the airplane touch down on runway 20, and then become airborne again.  The left wing was then seen to drop and contact the ground on the left side of the runway.  The airplane cartwheeled and came to rest off the left side of the runway.

The pilot-in-command held a private pilot certificate.  According to the NTSB Accident Report, he had a total time of 192 hours with 100 hours in the Cessna 172 and 3 hours in the preceding 90 days.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N97000](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N97000-2014-11-26), registration cancelled 2014-11-26, S/N 17276142, built 1986 (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: 17276142
- Airframe hours: 4517
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D2J 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Flight International
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 3, 1994, 89 hours before
- Airport: PHF, Patrick Henry, runway 20, 6,526 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 192 total, 100 in this make and model, 152 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 5,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PHF

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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