On May 7, 1996, a Cessna 172P (registration N5394K) was involved in an aviation accident near Reno, NV. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: the pilot's failure to obtain and maintain flying speed and a proper glide path, which resulted in an inadvertent stall during a visual approach. An increased altitude illusion created by rising terrain under the final approach course was a factor. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A pilot, believing the aircraft was too high on final, lowered flaps and allowed the aircraft to become low and slow. After seeing VASI lights and thinking a short landing was imminent, he added some power but failed to arrest the sink. Despite stall warnings, he did not add power, expecting ground effect to carry the aircraft to the runway. The aircraft stalled, hit hard short of the threshold, bounced, struck the raised threshold lip with the right main gear, and slid off the runway.
Accident Sequence
On final approach, the pilot believed the aircraft was too high. He responded by lowering additional flaps. Subsequently, he allowed the aircraft to become too low and slow. Observing the VASI lights, the pilot thought the aircraft might land short of the runway. He applied 'some' power, but this did not stop the aircraft from sinking. In an attempt to increase his glide, he increased back pressure. The pilot heard the stall warning horn and felt the stall buffet. Despite these indications, he did not add more power because he thought that once the aircraft entered ground effect it would reach the runway. The aircraft then stalled and landed hard short of the runway threshold. After the hard landing, the aircraft bounced and struck the raised threshold lip with its right main gear. It settled back on runway 26 and slid to a stop off the right side of the runway.
Terrain Illusion
The approach was flown over rising terrain. Such terrain can give a pilot the illusion that the aircraft is at a higher altitude than it actually is. If not recognized, this illusion may induce a pilot to maintain a higher pitch attitude. That higher pitch attitude can result in a lower airspeed and an increased rate of descent during an approach.
Frequently asked questions
What happened in the 7 May 1996 Cessna 172P accident near Reno, NV?
A pilot, believing the aircraft was too high on final, lowered flaps and allowed the aircraft to become low and slow. After seeing VASI lights and thinking a short landing was imminent, he added some power but failed to arrest the sink. Despite stall warnings, he did not add power, expecting ground effect to carry…
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 7 May 1996 involved a Cessna 172P, registration N5394K, at Reno, NV.
What was the probable cause of the accident?
the pilot's failure to obtain and maintain flying speed and a proper glide path, which resulted in an inadvertent stall during a visual approach. An increased altitude illusion created by rising terrain under the final approach course was a factor.