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NTSB Report

July 10, 2003 · Cessna 172S · N787WW

Phoenix, AZ

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 10, 2003
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Phoenix, AZ
Aircraft
Cessna 172S
Tail Number
N787WW
Operator
Westwind Aviation
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX03CA248

The airplane porpoised during landing. As a result, the firewall and engine mounts were bent. The student reported that he had been practicing maneuvers in the practice area and was returning to the airport to land. He extended his downwind leg due to traffic in the pattern and entered final approach "a little high." He "flared too high, slowed, and landed flat." Then, he "porpoised airplane and landed nose gear first on [the] second touchdown." He felt the damage occured on the second touchdown. He then performed a go-around, did a second go-around after being too high on final, and landed on the third approach without difficulty. The student did not report any mechanical difficulties with the airplane prior to the accident.

NTSB Probable Cause

The student's misjudged landing flare and inadvertent entry into a porpoise pilot-induced oscillation.

Full Narrative

On July 10, 2003, about 0800 mountain standard time, a Cessna 172S, N787WW, porpoised during landing at Deer Valley Airport (DVT), Phoenix, Arizona. As a result, the firewall and engine mounts were bent. Westwind Aviation was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The student was not injured; the airplane sustained substantial damage. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed during the local area instructional flight and no flight plan had been filed. The flight departed from Deer Valley at 0700. In a written statement, the student reported that he had been practicing maneuvers in the practice area and was returning to Deer Valley to land. He extended his downwind leg due to traffic in the pattern and entered final approach "a little high." He "flared too high, slowed, and landed flat." Then, he "porpoised [the] airplane and landed nose gear first on [the] second touchdown." He felt the damage occured on the second touchdown. He then performed a go-around, did a second go-around after being too high on final, and landed on the third approach without difficulty. The student did not report any mechanical difficulties with the airplane prior to the accident.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time08:00 MST
Nearest AirportDeer Valley (0nm N)
Runway7L
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 172S
Tail NumberN787WW
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorWestwind Aviation
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-360-L2A · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 54 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point50
Altimeter29.81 inHg
Observation Time14:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data