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CHI99LA039

1998-11-26 · EVANSVILLE, Indiana, United States · None · 1 aircraft · Status: Completed

Airport EVV

Current FAA registration · N739LK

Make / Model
CESSNA 172N
Year of manufacture
1978 · 20 years old at event
Engine
LYCOMING 0-320 SERIES (180 hp)
Seats / Engines
4 seats · 1 engine
Last airworthiness date
19780317
ADS-B equipped
Yes — Mode-S A9ED7E

Source: FAA Aircraft Registry (releasable master file).

Aircraft involved

Probable cause & findings

The pilot's improper flare and improper recovery from a bounced landing.

Factual narrative

On November 26, 1998, at 0945 eastern standard time, a Cessna 172N, N739LK, operated by Tri State Aero, received substantial damage on impact with terrain during a bounced landing on runway 27 (3,500 feet by 75 feet, dry asphalt) at Evansville Regional Airport near Evansville, Indiana. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The private pilot reported no injuries. The 14 CFR Part 91 local flight was not operating on a flight plan. The flight originated at Evansville Regional Airport at approximately 0800. The pilot reported that he arrived at the airport at 0730 to practice takeoff and landings. He stated that he performed 5 crosswind landings on Runway 18, departed 4 miles to the west for sightseeing and then returned to perform 10-12 landings prior to the accident. The pilot stated that his approach speed was 65-70 knots with full flaps. He reported that the aircraft touched down on the main landing gear, bounced approximately 6 feet above ground level with an airspeed of 45-50 knots. He added that the aircraft touched down on its nose wheel causing the nose wheel to separate. The pilot stated that he had "over controlled" during the landing and that there were no mechanical abnormalities with the aircraft. A Cessna 172 received substantial damage on impact with terrain during a bounced landing at Evansville Regional Airport near Evansville, Indiana. The pilot stated that his approach speed was 65-70 knots with full flaps. He reported that the aircraft touched down on the main landing gear, bounced approximately 6 feet above ground level with an airspeed of 45-50 knots. He added that the aircraft touched down on its nose wheel causing the nose wheel to separate. The pilot stated that he had 'over controlled' during the landing and that there were no mechanical abnormalities with the aircraft. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_1998_CHI99LA039.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.