# NTSB ATL02LA039: Cessna 172M, N9334H, Sanford, NC, January 13, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: January 13, 2002, 09:15 local (14:15 UTC) - Place: Sanford, NC - Coordinates: 35.433887, -79.182502 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.4339&lon=-79.1825&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 20, 2002 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 54049 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL02LA039 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/54049/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=54049 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL02LA039 ## Probable cause The pilots failure to maintain directional control during landing roll that resulted in a collision with an airport sign. Factors were wet runway surface and wind gust. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - wet (contributing factor) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) - On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll - object - airport sign/marker ## Analysis The pilot reported experiencing a wind gust on landing. The pilot stated that when the airplane touched down, the nose of the airplane went to the right. The airplane then started to skid to right. The airplane continued off the runway and collided with an airport sign. Examination of the airplane failed to disclose a mechanical malfunction. ## Factual narrative On January 13, 2002, at 0915 eastern standard time, a Cessna 172M, N9334H, operated by a private pilot, under the provisions of Title 14 CFR part 91, experienced a wind gust on landing. The personnel flight at Sanford Lee County Airport, Sanford, North Carolina. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident and no flight plan was filed. The private pilot and his passengers did not received any injuries. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The flight departed Sanford Lee County Airport, inSanford, North Carolina, at 0915. According to the pilot, he experience a strong crosswind from the right while on approach for runway 21. The pilot stated that he was crabbed about 25 degrees toward the runway, at 85 knots abeam the numbers. The pilot stated that when he turned final he added his third notch of flaps and trimmed the airplane to 70 knots. The pilot stated when he was certain he could make the field he added the last notch of flaps. The pilot stated that when the airplane touched down, the nose of the airplane went to the right. The airplane then started a right skid. The pilot stated that the airplane "tipped to the left" and he lost directional control. The airplane skidded off of the right side of the runway, and collided with a runway sign. Examination of the airplane revealed, the left main landing gear collapsed.The left stabilizer was damaged and a hole was punctured in the right stabilizer. The examination of the airplane failed to reveal a mechanical problem. According to the pilot, the runway surface was wet from rain the previous night. The reported winds at the time of the accident were 290 degrees at 10 knots with gust to 18 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9334H](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9334H), registered now, S/N 17266092, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172M - Registry model: [Cessna 172M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172m) (registry code 2072418) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 66092 - Airframe hours: 4980 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-E2D 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, December 7, 2001, 14 hours before - Departed: KTTA, Sanford, NC - Airport: W77, Sanford Lee County Regional, runway 21, 4,300 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 160 total, 60 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 290° at 10 knots, gusting 18 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 43 °F, dew point 36 °F - Altimeter: 29.89 inHg - Observed at: RDU, 37 nm away ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20020113001769A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020113001769A), Jan 13, 2002: Cessna 172M, Sanford, NC, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot stated approach was normal. Touched down just past the numbers within approximately 200 feet. Pilot encountered gust of wind, lost control of… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 28, 2002, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=54049. 649 KB in all. - Supplement S (item 1, .PDF, 65 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40165930&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Supplement%20S-Master.PDF - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 2, .PDF, 572 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40378924&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Weather Data (item 3, .PDF, 12 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40165932&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Data-Master.PDF 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. --- 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.