Summary
On May 09, 1995, a Cessna 172N (N39ES) was involved in an incident near Stockton, CA. All 4 people aboard were uninjured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this incident to be: The failure of the pilot to properly judge the landing flare, and his improper bounced landing recovery technique, which resulted in a landing gear collapse during a hard landing.
On May 9, 1995, at 1550 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 172N, N39ES, sustained substantial damage during a hard landing at Stockton, California. The aircraft was owned and operated by Port City Aviation, Inc., and was completing the return leg of a cross-country flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a VFR flight plan had been filed for the operation. Neither the certificated private pilot nor his three passengers were injured. The return leg originated from the Meadows Field airport, Bakersfield, California, at 1430 on the day of the accident.
The aircraft was cleared for a full stop landing on runway 29L. Witnesses stated that the pilot touched down hard, bounced, then touched down a second time, collapsing the right main landing gear.
This incident is documented in NTSB report LAX95LA182. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N39ES.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
the failure of the pilot to properly judge the landing flare, and his improper bounced landing recovery technique, which resulted in a landing gear collapse during a hard landing.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
On May 9, 1995, at 1550 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 172N, N39ES, sustained substantial damage during a hard landing at Stockton, California. The aircraft was owned and operated by Port City Aviation, Inc., and was completing the return leg of a cross-country flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a VFR flight plan had been filed for the operation. Neither the certificated private pilot nor his three passengers were injured. The return leg originated from the Meadows Field airport, Bakersfield, California, at 1430 on the day of the accident.
The aircraft was cleared for a full stop landing on runway 29L. Witnesses stated that the pilot touched down hard, bounced, then touched down a second time, collapsing the right main landing gear. The aircraft yawed right, struck two runway markers, and ground looped off the right side of the runway. Automated terminal information service (ATIS) "Charlie" was in effect. At the time of the accident ATIS was reporting winds from 020 degrees at 10 knots.
The pilot reported no mechanical problems with the aircraft prior to the accident.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# LAX95LA182