Summary
On July 20, 2003, a Cessna 172N (N73857) was involved in an incident near Livermore, CA. All 1 person aboard were uninjured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this incident to be: The pilot's misjudged landing flare, which resulted in a porpoise pilot induced oscillation and hard landing.
On July 20, 2003, at 1230 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 172N, N73857, experienced a hard landing at Livermore Airport, California. The airplane was registered to and operated by Flying Particles, Inc., a flying club in Livermore, under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The private pilot was not injured, and the airplane was substantially damaged. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a visual flight plan had not been filed. The personal flight originated from the Fresno-Chandler Downtown Airport about 1130.
The pilot stated in the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120 1/2), that she bounced the airplane two times while attempting to land on runway 25R.
This incident is documented in NTSB report LAX03CA247. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N73857.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot's misjudged landing flare, which resulted in a porpoise pilot induced oscillation and hard landing.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
On July 20, 2003, at 1230 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 172N, N73857, experienced a hard landing at Livermore Airport, California. The airplane was registered to and operated by Flying Particles, Inc., a flying club in Livermore, under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The private pilot was not injured, and the airplane was substantially damaged. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a visual flight plan had not been filed. The personal flight originated from the Fresno-Chandler Downtown Airport about 1130.
The pilot stated in the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120 1/2), that she bounced the airplane two times while attempting to land on runway 25R. She described the bounces as a "porpoise." The pilot then executed a go-around and on the second approach she landed uneventfully. The winds at Livermore were recorded as variable at 3 knots.
A mechanic inspected the airplane and reported to the NTSB Investigator-in-Charge (IIC) that the engine firewall was damaged and a section of fuselage skin behind the firewall on the left side was wrinkled.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# LAX03CA247