# NTSB WPR12LA090: Cessna 172E, N3879S, Dinsmore, CA, February 3, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: February 3, 2012, 12:30 local (20:30 UTC) - Place: Dinsmore, CA - Coordinates: 40.491943, -123.598052 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.4919&lon=-123.5981&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: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor - Status: Completed, report February 14, 2013 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 82812 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR12LA090 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/82812/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=82812 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12LA090 ## Probable cause The flight instructor's delayed remedial action, inadequate recovery from a bounced landing, and failure to attain/maintain adequate airspeed during an attempted go-around. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [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 172E, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=2072412), [All aircraft, 1,285 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172E, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072412), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172E, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=2072412), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/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 172E, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=2072412), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) - [Landing-aborted after touchdown: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Cessna 172E, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=2072412), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Landing-aborted after touchdown: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230); cases with it: [Cessna 172E, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2072412), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-aborted after touchdown: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Cessna 172E, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=2072412), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to postaccident statements from both pilots, the flight instructor took control of the airplane from the student pilot either at touchdown or just before. The airplane bounced several times after touchdown while veering to the right, and the right main wheel rolled off the 48-foot wide runway into the grass. The flight instructor added full engine power to go around. The flight instructor stated that he pulled back on the yoke to try to clear the trees beyond the end of the runway, and the airplane stalled and hit the ground. After the airplane’s right wing tip contacted the ground, the airplane reversed direction and came to a stop. Shortly after the airplane came to rest, a postimpact fire began, which consumed the airplane. The student pilot, who was the airplane owner, reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative On February 3, 2012, about 1230 Pacific standard time, a Cessna 172E, N3879S, veered off runway 27 during an aborted landing at the Dinsmore (uncontrolled) airport, Dinsmore, California. The airplane came to rest in a field about 50 yards beyond the runway’s end. A post impact ground fire occurred, which consumed the substantially damaged airplane. The commercial pilot holds a certified flight instructor (CFI) certificate, and he was seriously injured. The CFI was providing flight instruction to a student pilot, who was the airplane’s registered owner. The student pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The flight was performed under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. No flight plan was filed. The flight originated about 1115. The student pilot reported to the National Transportation Safety Board investigator that the CFI directed him to land at the Dinsmore airport. However, on final approach, the CFI took the flight controls away from him. The student released the controls, and he did not touch them again. The wing flaps were extended to the 30-degree setting, and the CFI attempted to land. After touching down on the runway, the airplane bounced several times, the right main wheel rolled off the 48-foot wide runway into the grass, and the CFI attempted to go around. The CFI added full engine power, and the stall warning sounded as the airplane veered back across the runway as it continued to bounce. After the airplane’s right wing tip contacted the ground, the airplane reversed direction as it cartwheeled to a stop. Shortly after coming to rest, a post impact fire began, which consumed the airplane. During a telephone conversation the CFI said they took off from Garberville about 1130 for an instructional session. He said he does not recall completely but believes he took over the controls either just after the student had landed or just before he touched down. The airplane was veering to the right and he decided to do a go around. The stall warning was going off during the go around at the west end of the runway. He said he was trying to go over the trees beyond the end of the runway; he pulled on the yoke to clear the trees and the airplane stalled and hit the ground. The student pilot owner said there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3879S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3879S-2012-10-31), registration cancelled 2012-10-31, S/N 17251079, built 1963 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172E - Registry model: [Cessna 172E](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172e) (registry code 2072412) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17251079 - Engines: CONT MOTOR O-300-D 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: O16, Garberville, CA - Destination: D63, Dinsmore, CA - Airport: D63, Dinsmore, runway 27, 2,510 × 48 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 65; injuries: serious; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: right; flight hours: 3,000 total - Student pilot; age 29; injuries: minor; student; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 40 total, 32 in this make and model, 12 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 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 20120203005239A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120203005239A), Feb 3, 2012: Cessna 172E, Dinsmore, CA, Destroyed. Accident report "narrative" information as follows…student pilot and instructor were performing touch and go at Dinsmore, CA. On runway 27.aircraft veered off… ## Other investigations on N3879S (2) 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 LAX68F0054](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX68F0054), Jul 2, 1967: Cessna 172 (N3879S), Arcadia, CA, substantial damage - [NTSB UNK64X1497](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/UNK64X1497), Apr 28, 1964: Cessna 172 (N3879S), Santa Ana, CA, substantial damage ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 19, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=82812. 2.9 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 - Flight Instructor (item 1, .PDF, 1.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40366278&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1%20-%20Flight%20Instructor-Redacted.PDF - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 - Student (item 2, .PDF, 1.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40363090&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1%20-%20Student-Redacted.PDF - Record of Conversation (item 3, .PDF, 25 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40383783&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation-Master.PDF - Photo 1. Overall view of the aircraft at rest. (item 4, .PDF, 78 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40383784&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201.%20Overall%20view%20of%20the%20aircraft%20at%20rest.-Master.PDF - Photo 2. Front view of wreckage. (item 5, .PDF, 151 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40383785&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202.%20Front%20view%20of%20wreckage.-Master.PDF 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.