# Accident 19970223001979A: Cessna 172M, Petaluma, CA, February 23, 1997

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: February 23, 1997, 16:15 local time
- Place: Petaluma, CA
- Airport: Petaluma Municipal Airport
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Roll-Out (Fixed Wing)
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 38.2309° N, 122.5591° W: From the FAA, an estimate near the named town, within about 3 miles
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.2309&lon=-122.5591&mi=10
- Aircraft: N20508, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N20508-2008-03-07) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Cessna 172M (registry code 2072418, https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172m) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming 0-320 series (registry code 41508, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172M
- Reported engine: LYC O320E2D
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Pilot flight hours: 227 total, 58 in this make and model
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB LAX97LA113](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX97LA113) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970223001979A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

VEERED ON RUNWAY INTO MUD LANDING IN STRONG CROSSWIND BEYOND CAPABILITY OF AIRCRAFT AND ITS PILOT.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB LAX97LA113](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX97LA113), Feb 24, 1997: Cessna 172M (N20508), Petaluma, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's inadequate compensation for the crosswind condition and his failure to maintain directional control.

## Other reports on N20508 (1)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Incident 19791117045359I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19791117045359I), Nov 17, 1979: Cessna T210L (N20508), Wheeling, IL, Minor damage. Pilot's attention diverted during approach. Forgot to lower gear. Props hit ground, went around. Horn inop.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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