# Accident 20040531008139A: Cessna 172M, Levelland, TX, May 31, 2004

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: May 31, 2004, 10:45 local time
- Place: Levelland, TX
- Airport: Levelland Municipal Airport
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Roll-Out (Fixed Wing)
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Operator: LVLS
- Location: 33.5514° N, 102.3700° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.5514&lon=-102.3700&mi=10
- Aircraft: N61663, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N61663) (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
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Student
- Pilot flight hours: 33 total, 26 in this make and model, 22 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB FTW04LA145](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW04LA145) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040531008139A

## Narrative

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

(-23) ON MAY 31, 2004, AT APPROXIMATELY 1040 CDT, A STUDENT PILOT WAS ATTEMPTING SOLO FLIGHT TOUCH-AND-GO AT THE LEVELLAND MUNICIPAL AIRPORT, LEVELLAND, TEXAS. HE SUCCESSFULLY MADE ONE TOUCH-AND-GO, BUT ON THE SECOND ATTEMPT THE AIRCRAFT RAN OFF THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY. THE AIRCRAFT THEN CROSSED A DEEP DRAINAGE DITCH SHEARING THE LEFT MAIN GEAR ATTACH BOLT AND TURNING THE GEAR 90 DEGREES FROM ITS ORIGINAL POSITION. THE LEFT STABILIZER STRUCK THE GROUND BENDING BOTH SPARS OF THE STABILIZER, STRIKING THE GROUND HARD ENOUGH TO CAUSE THE VERTICAL FIN AND THE FUSELAGE TO TWIST, BREAKING THE FAIRING BETWEEN THE TWO COMPONENTS. THE FUSELAGE ALSO SHOWS SIGNS OF DAMAGE JUST BELOW THE BAGGAGE DOORS AND THERE ARE WRINKLES PRESENT DOWN THE SIDE OF THE FUSELAGE.

## 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 FTW04LA145](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW04LA145), May 31, 2004: Cessna 172 (N61663), Levelland, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control and his inadequate compensation for the winds.

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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