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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

April 11, 1994 · Cessna 172P · N54006

Elko, NV

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 11, 1994
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Elko, NV
Aircraft
Cessna 172P
Tail Number
N54006
Operator
El Aero Services
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX94LA186

THE STUDENT'S FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR WITNESSED THE ACCIDENT. HE REPORTED THAT THE STUDENT WAS ON HIS SECOND SUPERVISED SOLO AND HAD PERFORMED FOUR OR FIVE TAKEOFFS AND LANDINGS. ON THE ACCIDENT LANDING, THE AIRPLANE 'BOUNCED FAIRLY HIGH.' THE STUDENT THEN STARTED A LEFT TURN WITH THE POWER REDUCED AND THE FLAPS EXTENDED. THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR STATED THAT HE USED THE RADIO IN AN ATTEMPT TO TELL THE STUDENT TO ADD POWER, RETRACT THE FLAPS, AND LOWER THE AIRCRAFT NOSE; HOWEVER, THE STUDENT DID NOT SEEM TO RESPOND TO THE INSTRUCTIONS. THE TURN CONTINUED UNTIL THE AIRCRAFT ENTERED A STALL, THEN IMPACTED THE GROUND NOSE FIRST. THE AIRCRAFT WAS EXAMINED BY FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION INSPECTORS WHO REPORTED THAT NO DISCREPANCIES WERE FOUND.

NTSB Probable Cause

the student pilot's improper use of the throttle and flap controls during a bounced landing recovery, and, his failure to maintain an adequate airspeed, which led to an inadvertent stall/spin.

Full Narrative

On April 11, 1994, at 1644 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 172P, N54006, collided with the ground following a loss of control in the takeoff initial climb at the Elko, Nevada, airport. The aircraft was owned and operated by El Aero Services, Inc., of Elko, Nevada, and was rented by the pilot for a local area solo instructional flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The aircraft incurred substantial damage and the student pilot, the sole occupant, sustained serious injuries. The flight originated at the Elko airport on the day of the accident at 1545 hours. The student's flight instructor witnessed the accident. He reported that the student was on his second supervised solo and had performed four or five takeoffs and landings. On the accident landing, the pilot "bounced fairly high." The student then started a left turn with the power reduced and the flaps extended. The flight instructor stated that he used the radio in an attempt to tell the student to add power, retract the flaps, and lower the aircraft nose; however, the student did not seem to respond to the instructions. The turn continued until the aircraft entered a stall, then impacted the ground nose first. The aircraft was examined by Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspectors who reported that no discrepancies were found.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:44 PDT
Nearest AirportJ.C. Harris Field (1nm SE)
Runway23
Runway Length7211 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 172P
Tail NumberN54006
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorEl Aero Services
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-D2J · Reciprocating · 160
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 47 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility30 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point59 / 23 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time22:44
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data