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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

July 20, 2003 · Cessna 172N · N73857

Livermore, CA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 20, 2003
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Livermore, CA
Aircraft
Cessna 172N
Tail Number
N73857
Operator
Flying Club
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX03CA247

During a landing attempt the airplane porpoised on touchdown and bounced at least two times. The pilot performed a go-around and landed uneventfully on the second attempt.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's misjudged landing flare, which resulted in a porpoise pilot induced oscillation and hard landing.

Full Narrative

On July 20, 2003, at 1230 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 172N, N73857, experienced a hard landing at Livermore Airport, California. The airplane was registered to and operated by Flying Particles, Inc., a flying club in Livermore, under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The private pilot was not injured, and the airplane was substantially damaged. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a visual flight plan had not been filed. The personal flight originated from the Fresno-Chandler Downtown Airport about 1130. The pilot stated in the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120 1/2), that she bounced the airplane two times while attempting to land on runway 25R. She described the bounces as a "porpoise." The pilot then executed a go-around and on the second approach she landed uneventfully. The winds at Livermore were recorded as variable at 3 knots. A mechanic inspected the airplane and reported to the NTSB Investigator-in-Charge (IIC) that the engine firewall was damaged and a section of fuselage skin behind the firewall on the left side was wrinkled.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:30 PDT
Nearest AirportLivermore, Ca (0nm)
Runway25R
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 172N
Tail NumberN73857
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorFlying Club
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-D2C7 · Reciprocating

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 52 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind3 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point57
Altimeter29.92 inHg
Observation Time19:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data