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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

August 14, 1994 · Cessna 172P · N98909

Scottsdale, AZ

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 14, 1994
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (3 uninjured)
Location
Scottsdale, AZ
Aircraft
Cessna 172P
Tail Number
N98909
Operator
Sawyer Aviation
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX94LA321

THE PILOT MISJUDGED THE FLARE ALTITUDE DURING LANDING AND FAILED TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED. THE AIRPLANE STALLED AND SUSTAINED A HARD LANDING. THE PILOT HAD ACCRUED 1.5 HOURS IN THE AIRCRAFT MAKE AND MODEL.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot's misjudging the flare altitude and failing to maintain adequate airspeed resulting in an inadvertent stall and hard landing. The pilot's lack of total time in the airplane is a factor in this accident.

Full Narrative

On August 13, 1994, at 1815 hours mountain standard time, a Cessna 172P, N98909, sustained a hard landing on runway 21 at Scottsdale Municipal Airport, Scottsdale, Arizona. The pilot was completing a visual flight rules personal flight. The airplane, registered to and operated by Sawyer Aviation, Phoenix, Arizona, sustained substantial damage. Neither the recently certificated private pilot nor either of the two passengers were injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The flight originated at Sky Harbor Airport, Phoenix, Arizona, about 1700 hours. Mr. James Hackman, Sawyer Aviation, was interviewed via telephone by National Transportation Safety Board investigators on August 16, 1994. Mr. Hackman said the pilot reported that the approach speed and flare to the runway were normal, but the airplane, however, "suddenly dropped like a rock." The pilot taxied off the runway. Mr. Hackman also said that he contacted the local controller. The local controller reported that the approach speed and flare altitude appeared normal moments before it dropped. Safety Board investigators reviewed the recorded communications between Scottsdale Air Traffic Control Tower and N98909. The review revealed the pilot initially called the local controller at 1807:67 hours and reported that he was 8 miles southwest of the airport. The local controller cleared N98909 to land on runway 21 and cleared another airplane to land behind N98909. At 1815:54 hours, the local controller cleared N98909 to taxi to parking. At 1816:07, an unidentified voice said "that airplane looks a little bent there"; another unidentified voice responded "yeah, I see that." The communications medium also revealed that the airplane following N98909, a Beach BE-55, landed without incident. There were no communications from any pilots before or after the accident suggesting any windshear conditions. The reported surface winds were from 270 degrees at 15 knots.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time18:15 MST
Nearest AirportScottsdale Municipal (0nm)
Runway21
Runway Length8251 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 172P
Tail NumberN98909
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorSawyer Aviation
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-A2J · Reciprocating · 160
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (3 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured3
Total3
Crew 1Age 19 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind270° @ 15 kt
Visibility50 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 14000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point10 C / 61 F
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time01:15
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data