# NTSB NYC97LA002: Cessna 172H, N3707R, Chatham, MA, October 5, 1996

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 5, 1996, 17:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Chatham, MA
- Location: 41.6883° N, 69.9897° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at CHATHAM MUNI (CQX), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.6883&lon=-69.9897&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 31, 1997
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 39293
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC97LA002
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/39293/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC97LA002

## Probable cause

the pilot's improper flare, which resulted in a hard landing.  A factor relating to the accident was: the pilot's lack of experience in the make and model of airplane.

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - flare - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

The pilot stated that he was high, while on the final approach to land. He elected to continue the approach and not perform a go-around. During the landing, the airplane bounced twice. The pilot received his private pilot certificate the day before the accident. He had a total flight experience of 70 hours, of which 2 hours were in this same make and model of airplane. Examination of the airplane did not reveal any malfunction, nor did the pilot report any.

## Factual narrative

On October  5, 1996, about 1700 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172H, N3707R, was substantially damaged during a hard landing at Chatham Municipal, Chatham, Massachusetts.  The private pilot and three passengers were not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local flight.  No flight plan was filed for the personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.

In a written statement by the pilot, he stated that he was slow and high during the approach.  He elected to continue the approach and landing, and not to perform a go-around.  During the landing, the airplane bounced twice.  The pilot indicated that he recently received his private pilot certificate and had an approximate total flight experience of 70 hours, of which 2 hours were in type.

According to the Federal Aviation Administration Inspector, the pilot obtained his private pilot certificate October 4, 1996.  Examination of the wreckage did not disclose evidence of mechanical malfunctions, nor did the pilot report any.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3707R](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3707R), registered now, S/N 17255507, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Cessna 172H
- Registry model: [Cessna 172H](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172h) (registry code 2072424) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17255507
- Airframe hours: 3539
- Engines: Continental O-300 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Cape Cod Flying Service
- Registered owner: John A Ambroult
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 21, 1996
- Departed: CQX
- Airport: CQX, Chatham Municipal, runway 6, 3,000 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 70 total, 2 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 30° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 50 °F, dew point 34 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: HYA, 13 nm away

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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