# NTSB WPR21LA269: Cessna 172R, N996RA, Petaluma, CA, July 10, 2021 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: July 10, 2021, 12:17 local (19:17 UTC) - Place: Petaluma, CA - Coordinates: 38.255757, -122.6013 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.2558&lon=-122.6013&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 4 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 103468 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR21LA269 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/103468/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=103468 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA269 ## Probable cause The pilot’s improper landing flare which resulted in a hard landing following a partial loss of electrical power. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s distraction and hampered visual function. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Electrical power system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022400): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Malfunction; cases with it: [Cessna 172R, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022400/cases.md?model=2072401), [All aircraft, 48 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022400/cases.md) - [Sensory ability/limitation: visual function](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02011510): Personnel issues › Physical · Pilot; cases with it: [Cessna 172R, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02011510/cases.md?model=2072401), [All aircraft, 32 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02011510/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172R, 75 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072401), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Mental/emotional state: stress](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02022510): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot; cases with it: [Cessna 172R, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02022510/cases.md?model=2072401), [All aircraft, 14 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02022510/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172R, 15 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=2072401), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/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 172R, 37 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=2072401), [All aircraft, 1,285 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute-climb to cruise: Electrical system malf/failure](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/332); cases with it: [Cessna 172R, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/332/sequence.md?model=2072401), [All aircraft, 182 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/332/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172R, 19 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=2072401), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Landing: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092); cases with it: [Cessna 172R, 34 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=2072401), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, about 20 minutes into the cross-country flight, the airplane experienced a partial electrical failure which caused the intercom, radio, transponder, flaps, and some engine instruments to go offline, although the voltmeter and ammeter were still showing normal readings. The pilot cycled both the master and avionics master switches, with no improvement, and decided to divert to the nearest untowered airport. During the descent and approach, he became distracted multiple times as he heard intermittent short "blips" from the intercom. The pilot entered a right downwind entry into the traffic pattern and planned for a no-flap landing. He overshot to the right of the runway centerline as they turned from the base to final leg. He was able to maneuver to rejoin the centerline by the time they reached short final. They passed over the runway threshold with a left crosswind, and as the pilot initiated the flare, he felt the airplane sink aggressively, and he realized that he had initiated the flare too high. The airplane drifted to the right of the runway surface and landed hard in the grass in a nose high attitude. The lower fuselage and wing strut was substantially damaged. The pilot reported that an on-airport mechanic examined the airplane after the accident and was not able to find any issues with the electrical system. The pilot reported that, he had significant astigmatism and myopia, and used contact lenses for all previous flights, however the accident flight was the first time he had flown with eyeglasses after experiencing a contact lens malfunction that morning. He also reported that although he had performed multiple no-flap landings in the past, the accompanying change in forward visibility over the nose in concert with the use of eyeglasses instead of contact lenses, resulted in a changed sight picture and reduced peripheral vision. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N996RA](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N996RA), registered now, S/N 17280404, built 1998 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172R - Registry model: [Cessna 172R](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172r) (registry code 2072401) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 SER A&C](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-ser-a-c) (registry code 41511, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17280404 - Year built: 1998 - Airframe hours: 8569.3 - Engines: Lycoming IO-360-L2A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Christiansen Aviation Inc - Registered owner: Christiansen Aviation Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Commuter - Last inspection: Annual, May 26, 2021, 67.8 hours before - Departed: KSQL, San Carlos, CA - Destination: 0Q5, Shelter Cove, CA - Airport: O69, Petaluma Muni, runway 11/29, 3,600 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Stall warning system, ADS-B, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 28; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review March 6, 2021; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 127 total, 15 in this make and model, 47 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 280° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 29.93 inHg - Observed at: KO69, 1 nm away - METAR: KO69 101855Z AUTO 28004KT 10SM CLR 30/11 A2993 RMK A01 ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Incident 20210710010589I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20210710010589I), Jul 10, 2021: Cessna 172R, Petaluma, CA, Minor damage. N996RA, C172, hard landing at Petaluma. CA POB: 4, no injuries. ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 12, 2021, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=103468. 2.9 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 10 pages, 2.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12788144&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=r_6120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 2, PDF, 2 pages, 2 photos, 907 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12788663&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photos-Rel.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.