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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

December 21, 2002 · Cessna 172N · N733AM

Pacoima, CA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 21, 2002
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Pacoima, CA
Aircraft
Cessna 172N
Tail Number
N733AM
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX03LA053

The airplane experienced a hard landing. The student pilot was on his first solo flight and attempting to perform practice touch-and-go takeoffs and landings. On final approach the airplane was higher than normal, but the student pilot touched down without mishap. While on the landing roll, the airplane became airborne, climbing to about 15 to 20 feet above ground level. The airplane stalled and returned back down to the runway surface, hitting hard, with the nose wheel touching down first. The student pilot stated that he thought that he had applied too much backpressure on the yoke. The operator reported no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane prior to the accident.

NTSB Probable Cause

the student pilot's excessive use of the elevator control that resulted in an inadvertent lift-off and his failure to maintain/attain adequate airspeed, which resulted in a stall and hard landing.

Full Narrative

On December 21, 2002, at 1400 Pacific standard time, a Cessna 172N, N733AM, experienced a hard landing at Whiteman Airport, Pacoima, California. Glendale Community College was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The student pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured; the airplane sustained substantial damage. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan had not been filed. The local instructional flight originated from Pacomia about 1355. In a written statement, the operator of the accident airplane reported that the student pilot was on his first solo flight and attempting to perform practice touch-and-go takeoffs and landings on runway 21. After completing an uneventful takeoff, the student pilot flew a left traffic pattern and configured the airplane for landing. The airplane was higher than normal on final approach, but the airplane touched down without mishap. While on the landing roll, the airplane became airborne, climbing to about 15 to 20 feet above ground level. Upon returning back down to the runway surface, the airplane hit hard, with the nose wheel touching down first. Although the nose wheel blew out, the student pilot was able to taxi the airplane off the runway. The operator further stated that after landing, the student pilot stated that he thought that he had pulled back too much on the yoke. The airplane incurred damage to the firewall, propeller, and nose landing gear. The operator reported no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane prior to the accident.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:00 PST
Nearest AirportWhiteman Airport (0nm N)
Runway12
Runway Length4120 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 172N
Tail NumberN733AM
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsAvco Lycoming · O-320-H2A0 · Reciprocating · 160
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 24 · First Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingOvercast 4300 ft
Temperature / Dew Point52 / 46
Altimeter29.97 inHg
Observation Time21:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data