# NTSB SEA94LA115: Cessna 172P, N53161, Hillsboro, OR, April 29, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 29, 1994, 11:30 local (18:30 UTC) - Place: Hillsboro, OR - Coordinates: 45.580425, -122.910224 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.5804&lon=-122.9102&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 2, 1994 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 41921 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA94LA115 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41921/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA94LA115 ## Probable cause POOR IN-FLIGHT PLANNING. FACTORS TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: INADEQUATE REMEDIAL ACTION AND UNCONTROLLED PORPOISE. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Hard landing, landing - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause) - remedial action - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor) - porpoise/pilot-induced oscillation - uncontrolled, pilot in command (contributing factor) ## Analysis DURING A SOLO INSTRUCTIONAL FLIGHT, THE STUDENT PILOT REPORTED THAT DURING THE THIRD TOUCH AND GO LANDING, THE APPROACH WAS NORMAL UNTIL THE AIRPLANE PASSED THE THRESHOLD. THE AIRPLANE REMAINED AIRBORNE AND FLOATED DOWN THE RUNWAY. AS THE AIRSPEED DIMINISHED, THE AIRPLANE LANDED HARD AND BOUNCED. THE AIRPLANE CONTINUED TO BOUNCE UNTIL IT FINALLY STABILIZED AND THE PILOT WAS ABLE TO TAXI THE AIRPLANE OFF THE RUNWAY. ## Factual narrative On April 29, 1994, at 1130 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 172P, N53161, landed hard and bounced during the landing at the Hillsboro Airport, Hillsboro, Oregon, during a student solo instructional flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the local flight. The airplane was substantially damaged and the student pilot was not injured. The student pilot was practicing touch and go landings when during the third touch and go, the pilot stated that the approach was normal until passing over the threshold. The airplane remained airborne and "floated" down the runway. When the airspeed diminished sufficiently, the airplane landed hard and bounced. The airplane continued to bounce down the runway until it finally stabilized and the pilot taxied the airplane off the runway. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N53161](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N53161-2005-05-12), registration cancelled 2005-05-12, S/N 17274694, built 1981 (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: 17274694 - Airframe hours: 4866 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-D2J 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Eagle Flight Center, Inc. - Registered owner: Eagle Flight Center, Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, April 15, 1994, 32 hours before - Airport: HIO, Hillsboro, runway 20, 4,049 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 61; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 94 total, 39 in this make and model, 7 as pilot in command, 18 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 200° at 7 knots - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 50 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: HIO ## 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 19940429015759A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940429015759A), Apr 29, 1994: Cessna 172P, Portland, OR, Substantial damage. Flared high floated. Dropped to runway. Bounced and porpoised. Taxied off runway when bouncing stopped. ## Other investigations on N53161 (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 SEA05FA013](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA05FA013), Oct 30, 2004: Cessna 172P (N53161), Olympia, WA, substantial damage, 1 fatal. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from terrain while maneuvering in known adverse weather conditions. Clouds, rain, high wind, dark night, trees, mountainous terrain and the pilot's… 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.