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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

March 30, 1996 · Cessna 172P · N9964L

Fullerton, CA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 30, 1996
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Fullerton, CA
Aircraft
Cessna 172P
Tail Number
N9964L
Operator
General Aviation
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX96LA148

The student reported that he was practicing full-stop landings on runway 24. The student stated his belief that on short final approach the aircraft encountered a wind gust in the landing flare which yawed the nose of the airplane to the left. The pilot attempted to correct the yaw with control inputs and the aircraft hit the runway hard and bounced toward the left side of the runway. The pilot attempted a rejected landing maneuver by adding full power; however, the left wing tip contacted the ground and the aircraft crashed in the median between the runway and taxiway. The pilot stated that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures of the aircraft. A weather observation taken immediately after the accident by the air traffic control tower reported winds from 250 degrees at 4 knots.

NTSB Probable Cause

the student pilot's inadequate compensation for the encounter with wake turbulence from a preceding small aircraft, and his improper bounced landing recovery technique.

Full Narrative

On March 30, 1996, at 1202 hours Pacific standard time, a Cessna 172P, N9964L, collided with the ground during an attempted rejected landing at Fullerton, California. The aircraft was operated by General Aviation Company, Inc., of Fullerton, and was rented by the student pilot for a local area solo instructional flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The aircraft sustained substantial damage. The student pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The flight originated at Fullerton on the day of the accident at 1130. The student reported that he was practicing full-stop landings on runway 24. The student stated his belief that on short final approach the aircraft encountered a wind gust in the landing flare which yawed the nose of the airplane to the left. The pilot attempted to correct the yaw with control inputs and the aircraft hit the runway hard and bounced toward the left side of the runway. The pilot attempted a rejected landing maneuver by adding full power; however, the left wing tip contacted the ground and the aircraft crashed in the median between the runway and taxiway. The pilot stated that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures of the aircraft. A weather observation taken immediately after the accident by the air traffic control tower reported winds from 250 degrees at 4 knots.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:02 PST
Nearest AirportFullerton Muni (0nm)
Runway24
Runway Length3121 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 172P
Tail NumberN9964L
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorGeneral Aviation
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-D2J · Reciprocating · 160
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 54 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind250° @ 4 kt
Visibility12 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point39 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time20:09
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data