# NTSB SEA95LA047: Cessna 120, N77480, Scappoose, OR, February 10, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 9, 1995, 18:30 local (Feb 10, 1995, 02:30 UTC)
- Place: Scappoose, OR
- Coordinates: 45.800949, -122.969154 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.8009&lon=-122.9692&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 24, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 42107
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA95LA047
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42107/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA95LA047

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER RECOVERY FROM A BOUNCED LANDING AND INADVERTENT USE OF THE BRAKES.

## Sequence of events

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

- Nose over, landing - roll
  - recovery from bounced landing - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - brakes(normal) - inadvertent use, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE AIRPLANE BOUNCED ON TOUCH DOWN AND THAT HE DIDN'T REALIZE THAT HIS FEET MOVED UP ON THE RUDDER PEDALS WHEN HE APPLIED PRESSURE TO RECOVER FROM THE BOUNCE. THE BRAKES WERE INADVERTENTLY APPLIED AND THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER ON THE RUNWAY. THERE WERE NO REPORTED MECHANICAL FAILURES OR MALFUNCTIONS.

## Factual narrative

On February 9, 1995, at 1830 Pacific standard time, N77480, a Cessna 120, operated by the owner/pilot, nosed over during landing in Scappoose, Oregon, and was substantially damaged.  The private pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed.  The personal flight departed from Hillsboro, Oregon, and was conducted under 14 CFR 91.

In a written statement, the pilot reported that the airplane bounced on touch down.  The pilot stated that he did not realize that his feet moved up on the rudder pedals when he applied pressure to recover from the bounce.  Instead, the brakes were applied and the airplane nosed over on the runway.

The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane at the time of the accident.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N77480](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N77480), registered now, S/N 11924, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 120
- Registry model: [Cessna 120](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-120) (registry code 2071402) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 11924
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C85-12 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Ricks, Robert S.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 19, 1994, 44 hours before
- Departed: HIO, HILLSBORO, OR
- Destination: 1S4
- Airport: 1S4, Scappoose Industrial, runway 33, 3,999 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 57; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 244 total, 12 in this make and model, 203 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: HIO, 15 nm away

## 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 19950209001609A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950209001609A), Feb 9, 1995: Cessna 120, Scappoose, OR, Substantial damage. Bounced on landing. Had feet on toe brakes as tail wheel type aircraft came back down. Nosed over.

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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