# NTSB SEA96LA083: Cessna 172, N733FF, Cheyenne, WY, April 18, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 18, 1996, 15:00 local (21:00 UTC) - Place: Cheyenne, WY - Coordinates: 41.140171, -104.789375 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.1402&lon=-104.7894&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 28, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 42356 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA96LA083 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42356/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA96LA083 ## Probable cause the pilot's improper flare during the landing and improper recovery from the subsequent bounced landing. A factor relating to the accident was: the pilot's failure to maintain the proper approach path during the approach for landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown - proper glidepath - not maintained, pilot in command (contributing factor) - flare - improper, pilot in command (cause) - recovery from bounced landing - improper, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The pilot stated that he was practicing touch-and-goes at the airport. One of the approaches was 'steeper than normal,' and the pilot landed 'flat.' The airplane porpoised, and the propeller blades contacted the ground. The pilot then executed a go-around, re-entered the traffic pattern, and landed uneventfully. After the flight, the pilot noticed damage to the propeller blades and alerted the operator. No preimpact mechanical malfunction was reported by the pilot. A detailed inspection of the airplane revealed a wrinkle in the firewall and a bend in the fuselage nose gear support structure. ## Factual narrative On April 18, 1996, about 1500 mountain daylight time, N733FF, a Cessna 172, operated by Sky Harbor Air Service, Inc., Cheyenne, Wyoming, landed hard in Cheyenne and was substantially damaged. The commercial pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed. The personal flight was conducted under 14 CFR 91. The pilot stated that he was practicing touch-and-goes at the Cheyenne Airport. During one the approaches, the airplane "had a steeper than normal approach which I corrected, but landed 'flat.' The nose contacted and I over-corrected, creating a porpoise." The pilot stated that he then executed a go-around, re-entered the traffic pattern, and landed uneventfully back at the airport. After he taxied in and shut down the airplane, he noticed damage to the propeller blades and alerted the operator. No preimpact mechanical malfunctions were reported by the pilot. Upon detailed inspection by an FAA aviation safety inspector from Denver, Colorado, a wrinkle in the firewall and a bend in the fuselage nose gear support structure was revealed. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N733FF](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N733FF), registered now, S/N 17268256, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172 - Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17268256 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Sky Harbor Air Service, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Airport: CYS, Cheyenne Airport, runway 12, 6,691 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 26; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 650 total, 18 in this make and model, 80 as pilot in command, 97 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 13 knots, gusting 18 - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 61 °F ## 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 19960418047429A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960418047429A), Apr 18, 1996: Cessna 172N, Cheyenne, WY, Minor damage. (-16) [privacy data omitted] 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.