# NTSB SEA94LA243: Cessna 172N, N738ET, Orcas, WA, September 18, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 17, 1994, 17:15 local (Sep 18, 1994, 00:15 UTC)
- Place: Orcas, WA
- Coordinates: 48.60968, -122.879974 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.6097&lon=-122.8800&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 16, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 42027
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA94LA243
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42027/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA94LA243

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER LANDING FLARE.

## 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)

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT WHILE ON FINAL APPROACH FOR LANDING, SHE EXPERIENCED RESISTANCE IN THE FLIGHT CONTROLS AND WAS UNABLE TO LEVEL THE AIRPLANE FOR TOUCHDOWN. THE AIRPLANE LANDED HARD AND BOUNCED BEFORE COMING TO A STOP. DURING AN INSPECTION OF THE FLIGHT CONTROLS, THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE FOUND TO INDICATE A MECHANICAL FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION.

## Factual narrative

On September 17, 1994, at 1715 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 172N, N738ET, landed hard and bounced at the Eastsound Airport, Orcas, Washington.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed.  The airplane was substantially damaged and the private pilot and her passenger were not injured.  The flight had originated from Everett, Washington, on September 17, 1994, at 1640, for the personal flight.

During a telephone interview, the pilot reported that while on final approach for landing, she experienced resistance in the flight controls and was unable to level the airplane for touchdown.  The airplane landed hard and bounced down the runway before coming to a stop.

Before the airplane was retrieved, it was found that the control yoke would not move.  After the airplane was moved, the control cables were inspected for continuity.  It was found that the rudder and elevator cables were attached at their respective rear fittings and the cables were traced forward to the control yoke.  The aileron cables were also attached to their respective fittings and traced to the control yoke.  There were no restrictions found to this point.  Impact damage was noted to the firewall, cockpit floor boards and to the brace between the firewall and the instrument panel.  Further inspection found that the brace was bent and binding the movement of the control yoke.  Once the brace was bent out of the way, full movement of the control yoke was established.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N738ET (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172N
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17269926
- Airframe hours: 8332
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Morcom Aviation Services Inc, doing business as Regal Air
- Registered owner: Morcom Aviation Services Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Unknown, September 3, 1994, 15 hours before
- Departed: PAE, EVERETT, WA
- Airport: ORS, Eastsound, runway 16, 2,900 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 25; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 74 total, 3 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Lowest ceiling: none

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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