Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary LAX00LA031

CHANDLER, AZ, USA

Aircraft #1

N98909

Cessna 172N

Analysis

The pilot stated that he flared high and the airplane landed flat on all three landing gear and bounced three times. The nose tire went flat and the propeller contacted the ground. Subsequent inspection revealed the firewall was buckled. The pilot said there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures prior to the hard landing.

Factual Information

On November 2, 1999, about 1140 hours mountain standard time, a Cessna 172N, N98909, sustained substantial damage during a hard landing at the Chandler, Arizona, municipal airport. Sawyer Aviation operated the airplane, which was rented by the pilot, under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The private pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The local area personal flight departed Sky Harbor Airport, Phoenix, Arizona, about 1130. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The pilot stated that he flared high and the airplane landed flat on all three landing gear and bounced three times. The nose tire went flat and the propeller contacted the ground. Subsequent inspection revealed the firewall was buckled. In his written statement, the pilot said there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures prior to the hard landing.

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot's misjudged landing flare and failure to maintain an adequate airspeed margin, which resulted in a stall/mush and hard landing.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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