Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary NYC94LA107

NEWPORT NEWS, VA, USA

Aircraft #1

N97000

CESSNA 172P

Analysis

THE AIRPLANE WAS LANDING WHEN, ACCORDING TO WITNESSES, IT TOUCHED DOWN AND THEN BECAME AIRBORNE AGAIN. THE LEFT WING DROPPED AND CONTACTED THE GROUND ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY. THE AIRPLANE CARTWHEELED AND CAME TO REST OFF THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY. THE PILOT REPORTED: 'DURING THE ACCIDENT, I SUSTAINED A HEAD INJURY WHICH RENDERED ME UNCONSCIOUS.' CONSEQUENTLY, ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, HE DOES NOT REMEMBER THE ACCIDENT. THE PILOT REPORTED NO MECHANICAL MALFUNCTIONS.

Factual Information

On July 2, 1994, at 1505 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172P, N97000, operated by Flight International, of Newport News, Virginia, struck the ground while landing at Patrick Henry Field, Newport News. The airplane received substantial damage. The pilot and two passengers received minor injuries. One passenger was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed for the flight which operated under 14 CFR Part 91. In the NTSB Accident Report, the pilot stated: ...I contacted the tower and received clearance to land runway 20. From this point until after the accident I have no memory. During the accident I sustained a head injury which rendered me unconscious. Additionally I have lost any memory of the transition period. My next moment of awareness was sitting on the grass on the field with the fire/rescue personnel The FAA reported witnesses observed the airplane touch down on runway 20, and then become airborne again. The left wing was then seen to drop and contact the ground on the left side of the runway. The airplane cartwheeled and came to rest off the left side of the runway. The pilot-in-command held a private pilot certificate. According to the NTSB Accident Report, he had a total time of 192 hours with 100 hours in the Cessna 172 and 3 hours in the preceding 90 days.

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot's (1) improper recovery from a bounced landing and (2) failure to maintain aircraft control.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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