On June 29, 1996, a Cessna 172 (registration N9408L) operated by Sun Air Aviaition, Inc. was involved in an aviation accident near Camarillo, CA. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to properly manage airspeed during the final approach phase, which resulted in an excessive touchdown speed and a hard bounce. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 1 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
A pilot attempting to increase spacing behind a preceding aircraft on final approach made power adjustments that resulted in excessive speed at threshold, leading to a hard bounce during touchdown.
What happened
The incident occurred while the pilot was conducting an instrument or visual approach to land. The pilot was the second aircraft in sequence to land behind another airplane already occupying the runway. To establish greater separation between the two aircraft, the pilot initiated several power adjustments designed to slow the descent rate and increase the distance from the preceding traffic.
As the aircraft continued on final approach, the pilot increased engine power to maintain airspeed above the stall threshold. However, this adjustment resulted in the airplane arriving over the runway threshold with excessive ground speed. The pilot misjudged the flare maneuver required for touchdown, causing the main landing gear to impact the pavement with significant force, resulting in a hard bounce.
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to properly manage airspeed during the final approach phase, which resulted in an excessive touchdown speed and a hard bounce.
What happened in the 29 Jun 1996 Cessna 172 accident near Camarillo, CA?
A pilot attempting to increase spacing behind a preceding aircraft on final approach made power adjustments that resulted in excessive speed at threshold, leading to a hard bounce during touchdown.
Were there any fatalities in the 29 Jun 1996 Cessna 172 accident?
No fatalities were recorded in this accident.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 29 Jun 1996 involved a Cessna 172, registration N9408L, operated by Sun Air Aviaition, Inc., at Camarillo, CA.
What was the probable cause of the accident?
The pilot's failure to properly manage airspeed during the final approach phase, which resulted in an excessive touchdown speed and a hard bounce.
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