# NTSB WPR09CA055: Cessna 172RG, N172MN, Truckee, CA, December 2, 2008

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: December 2, 2008, 14:20 local (22:20 UTC)
- Place: Truckee, CA
- Coordinates: 39.319999, -120.139442 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.3200&lon=-120.1394&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 29, 2009
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Western Pacific Region
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration
- NTSB case key (mKey): 69544
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR09CA055
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/69544/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09CA055

## Probable cause

The pilot misjudged the landing flare resulting in a hard landing.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172RG, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=2072438), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters: landing flare](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172RG, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=2072438), [All aircraft, 1,285 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md)
- [Info processing/decision: identification/recognition](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172RG, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510/cases.md?model=2072438), [All aircraft, 559 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Landing-flare/touchdown: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172RG, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=2072438), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that during a normal approach to landing he misjudged the height between the airplane and the runway during the flare and the airplane settled onto the runway hard. The airplane bounced and the pilot said he lowered the nose and the airplane entered a porpoise followed by the propeller contacting the runway. The firewall sustained substantial damage. The pilot said there were no pre impact mechanical malfunctions or failures.

## Factual narrative

The pilot reported that during a normal approach to landing he misjudged the height between the airplane and the runway during the flare and the airplane settled onto the runway hard. The airplane bounced and the pilot said he lowered the nose and the airplane entered a porpoise followed by the propeller contacting the runway. The firewall sustained substantial damage. The pilot said there were no pre impact mechanical malfunctions or failures.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N172MN](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N172MN-2010-09-14), registration cancelled 2010-09-14, S/N 172RG0268, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172RG
- Registry model: [Cessna 172RG](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172rg) (registry code 2072438) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-360-series) (registry code 41575, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 172RG0268
- Airframe hours: 6563
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 31, 2008
- Departed: O02, Beckwourth, CA
- Destination: TRK, Truckee, CA
- Flight plan: Unknown
- Airport: TRK, Truckee-Tahoe Airport, runway 19, 4,650 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 69; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review September 30, 2008; seat: left; flight hours: 274 total, 40 in this make and model, 136 as pilot in command, 17 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 9 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 16 °F
- Altimeter: 30.20 inHg
- Observed at: TRK

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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