Summary
On November 25, 1996, a Cessna 172P (N54686) was involved in an incident near Van Nuys, CA. All 2 people aboard were uninjured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this incident to be: Improper flare by the pilot during the landing, and his improper recovery from a bounced landing, which resulted in a hard landing, dragged wing tip, and a collapsed main gear.
On November 25, 1996, at 1335 hours Pacific standard time, a Cessna 172P, N54686, collided with the runway after a bounced landing at the Van Nuys, California, airport. The aircraft sustained substantial damage; however, neither the designated pilot examiner nor the private pilot applicant was injured. The flight originated in Van Nuys about 1200. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed.
The applicant had made a simulated soft field approach to runway 16R when the aircraft bounced about 5 to 6 feet in the air. He decided to go-around and applied full power, but the aircraft responded by rolling left until its left wing tip drug along the runway.
This incident is documented in NTSB report LAX97LA053. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N54686.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
improper flare by the pilot during the landing, and his improper recovery from a bounced landing, which resulted in a hard landing, dragged wing tip, and a collapsed main gear.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
On November 25, 1996, at 1335 hours Pacific standard time, a Cessna 172P, N54686, collided with the runway after a bounced landing at the Van Nuys, California, airport. The aircraft sustained substantial damage; however, neither the designated pilot examiner nor the private pilot applicant was injured. The flight originated in Van Nuys about 1200. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed.
The applicant had made a simulated soft field approach to runway 16R when the aircraft bounced about 5 to 6 feet in the air. He decided to go-around and applied full power, but the aircraft responded by rolling left until its left wing tip drug along the runway. The examiner attempted to take control of the aircraft but was unable to prevent it from again colliding with the runway.
During the second impact sequence, the propeller and right wing tip struck the runway and both the nose gear and right main gear collapsed. The aircraft came to rest off the left side of the runway.
At the time of the accident a 5-knot, 80-degree left crosswind was reported. According to the aircraft manufacturer, the crosswind component is within the aircraft performance parameters.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# LAX97LA053