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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

December 23, 1995 · Cessna 172 · N73303

Bakersfield, CA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 23, 1995
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (4 uninjured)
Location
Bakersfield, CA
Aircraft
Cessna 172
Tail Number
N73303
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX96LA077

DURING AN ATTEMPTED GO-AROUND FOLLOWING AN ABORTED LANDING, THE AIRCRAFT STALLED AT 15 FEET ALTITUDE, IMPACTED THE TERRAIN, AND NOSED OVER. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT A GUST OF CROSSWIND CAUSED THE AIRCRAFT TO DRIFT OFF THE RUNWAY NECESSITATING THE GO-AROUND WHICH HE ATTEMPTED WITH FULL FLAPS EXTENDED. THE PILOT REPORTED 4 HOURS TOTAL NIGHT FLYING EXPERIENCE PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT FLIGHT, AND HAD PERFORMED THREE SOLO NIGHT TAKEOFFS AND LANDINGS TO REGAIN NIGHT CURRENCY IMMEDIATELY PRIOR TO LOADING HIS PASSENGERS.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot's improper aborted landing procedure which resulted in the aircraft stalling and impacting terrain.

Full Narrative

On December 22, 1995, at 1915 hours Pacific standard time, a Cessna 172, N73303, contacted the terrain and nosed over during an aborted landing on runway 34 at Bakersfield Municipal Airport, Bakersfield, California. The aircraft was substantially damaged; however, the private pilot and three passengers were not injured. No flight plan was filed for the local area personal flight which had departed at 1800 hours. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The operator, who rented the aircraft to the pilot, told the NTSB investigator that the pilot first performed three takeoffs and landings in the aircraft alone to regain night proficiency. He then loaded three passengers for the local area flight. The operator stated that after the accident the pilot told him that he had made a normal landing approach with full flaps. During the landing flare the aircraft started to drift to the right off the runway and the pilot initiated a go-around without retracting the flaps. The aircraft stalled at 15 feet altitude, the left wing contacted the ground, and the aircraft nosed over. In his report to the NTSB the pilot attributed drifting off the runway to a gust of crosswind. He reported 4 hours total night time prior to the accident flight.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time19:15 PST
Nearest AirportBakersfield Municipal (0nm)
Runway34
Runway Length4000 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 172
Tail NumberN73303
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-E2D · Reciprocating · 150
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (4 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured4
Total4
Crew 1Age 27 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightBright Night
Wind350° @ 6 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 7500 ft
Temperature / Dew Point50 / 41 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time02:50
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data