Casualties unknown

2004-07-04: Cessna 172C (N38RA) — Gateway Aviation — Pottstown, PA

Pottstown, PA, US

On July 4, 2004, a Cessna 172C (registration N38RA) operated by Gateway Aviation was involved in an aviation accident near Pottstown, PA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's inadequate flare, which resulted in a hard landing. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 8 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 1781061362Data APIEditorial standards

During a short field takeoff with 20 degrees of flaps, the pilot heard the stall warning horn after rotation, described the airplane as sluggish, retracted flaps to 10 degrees at 400 feet, turned back, and landed on the nose wheel, causing porpoising and gear collapse.

Takeoff and Initial Climb

The pilot initiated a short field takeoff with the flaps set to 20 degrees. After rotation at an indicated airspeed between 40 and 50 knots, the airplane began to climb. During the climb, the pilot heard the stall warning horn. He described the airplane's handling as "sluggishly." At an altitude of 400 feet, he retracted the flaps to 10 degrees.

Return and Landing

The pilot then initiated a left turn back toward the runway. The airplane touched down first on the nose wheel, after which it began to porpoise down the runway. It bounced several times. During approximately the second or third bounce, the landing gear collapsed and the propeller came into contact with the ground.

Pilot Statement

The pilot reported no mechanical deficiencies with the airplane. He stated that he had a total of 150 hours of flight experience, with 1 hour of that experience in the make and model of the accident airplane.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20040715X00981. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.