# Accident 20230411011059A: Cessna 172M, Terrel, TX, April 11, 2023

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: April 11, 2023, 15:20 local time
- Place: Terrel, TX
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Landing: Touchdown
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 32.7096° N, 96.2671° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.7096&lon=-96.2671&mi=10
- Aircraft: N1221U, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1221U) (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: LYCOMING 0-320 SERIES
- People aboard: 2
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 2
- Pilot certificates: Student
- Pilot flight hours: 26 total, 17 in this make and model, 10 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB CEN23LA154](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23LA154) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20230411011059A

## Narrative

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

THIS WAS A TRAINING FLIGHT, THERE WAS A CROSSWIND, SO THE NOSE WAS CRABBED INTO THE WIND DURING LANDING. WHEN AIRCRAFT CROSSED THE THRESHOLD, THE STUDENT PILOT PULLED POWER TO IDLE WHICH CAUSED THE AIRCRAFT TO DRIFT FROM THE CENTER LINE TO RIGHT. THE AIRCRAFT BOUNCED AND THE NOSE BALLOONED WHEN THE STUDENT PILOT PULLED THE YOKE BACK AFTER THE BOUNCE – THIS ACTION CAUSED BOTH PILOTS VISION OVER THE NOSE TO BE OBSCURED.

STUDENT PILOT TRIED TO GET THE AIRCRAFT BACK TOWARDS THE CENTER OF THE RUNWAY, THE MAINS WERE IN THE SOFT GRASS AND THE NOSE TOUCHED, WITH THE GROUND BEING SO SOFT THE NOSE WHEEL DUG ITSELF INTO THE GROUND CAUSING AN ABRUPT STOP AND THE PROP TO STRIKE THE GROUND.  WITH THE AIRCRAFT ENERGY STILL MOVING FORWARD AND NOSE WHEEL IN THE GROUND A FOOT DEEP, THIS CAUSED THE AIRCRAFT TO FLIP ON ITS BACK.

WHEN IT ALL CAME TO A STOP, THEY ENSURED THAT THE FUEL AND ELECTRICAL WAS SHUTOFF, AND IMMEDIATELY EXITED THE AIRCRAFT WITH ONLY MINOR INJURIES.

## 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 CEN23LA154](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23LA154), Apr 11, 2023: Cessna 172M (N1221U), Terrell, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: The student pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during landing and the flight instructor’s delayed remedial response.

## Other reports on N1221U (2)

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

- [Incident 20060505006439I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20060505006439I), May 5, 2006: Cessna 172M (N1221U), Cleveland, TX, Minor damage. (-23) Pilot was doing touch and go's as she was making a landing the plane porpoised once on the main gears then settled down then bounced again on the main…
- [Incident 19780731044609I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19780731044609I), Jul 31, 1978: Cessna 172M (N1221U), New Lenox, IL, Minor damage. Nose wheel separated from the fork after touchdown due to failed or lost bolt. Bolt, AN547 not found.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.
