# NTSB ATL03LA028: Cessna 172F, N5338R, Stuart, FL, December 31, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: December 31, 2002, 11:30 local (16:30 UTC) - Place: Stuart, FL - Coordinates: 27.236665, -80.561668 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.2367&lon=-80.5617&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 2, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA Ft Lauderdale FSDO - 17 - NTSB case key (mKey): 56278 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL03LA028 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/56278/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL03LA028 ## Probable cause The pilot's inflight encounter with wind shear on final approach, which resulted in an inflight loss of control and subequent uncontrolled descent into trees. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight encounter with weather, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - weather condition - windshear (cause) - Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled - object - tree(s) ## Analysis The student pilot conducted a visual approach to runway 18. The flight instructor stated a wind shear or gust condition was encountered about 25 feet above the ground over the runway, and the airplane rapidly lost airspeed and sank suddenly. The flight instructor took control of the airplane and added full power. The airplane continued to sink, and the flight instructor stated the left wing was pushed down. The airplane banked left and struck trees about 10 to 20 feet off the side of the runway. The flight instructor reported no mechanical malfunction or failure. ## Factual narrative On December 31, 2002, at 1130 eastern standard time, a Cessna 172F, N5338R, registered to Aero Trade, Inc., and operated by the pilot, collided with trees during final approach at Naked Lady airstrip in Stuart, Florida. The instructional flight was operated under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 with no flight plan filed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The certificated flight instructor, student pilot, and private pilot-rated passenger were not injured, and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The flight originated from Daytona Beach International Airport in Daytona Beach, Florida, about 0830, on December 31, 2002. According to the certificated flight instructor, prior to the approach into the private airstrip in Stuart, Florida, automated weather information was obtained from nearby Witham Field, in Stuart, Florida. The flight instructor elected to land on runway 18 at Naked Lady airstrip in Stuart, Florida, and he allowed the student pilot to attempt the landing. The flight instructor stated a wind shear or gust condition was encountered about 25 feet above the ground over the runway, and the airplane rapidly lost airspeed and sank suddenly. The flight instructor took control of the airplane and added full power. The airplane continued to sink, and the flight instructor stated the left wing was pushed down. The flight instructor applied full right rudder and full right aileron, and the airplane continuned to bank left and struck trees about 10 to 20 feet off the side of the runway. The examination of the accident site revealed the airplane came to rest on its left side between two trees. Both wings were damaged, and the fuselage was buckled. The flight instructor reported no mechanical malfunction or component failure during the flight. A review of the 1148 weather observation data from Witham Field in Stuart, Florida, revealed winds were 160 degrees magnetic at 17 knots gusting to 29 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5338R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5338R-2005-03-22), registration cancelled 2005-03-22, S/N 17252865, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172F - Registry model: [Cessna 172F](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172f) (registry code 2072414) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17252865 - Airframe hours: 5200 - Engines: Continental O-300-D 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Christopher S. Flom - Registered owner: Aero Trade, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 17, 2002, 10 hours before - Departed: DAB, Daytona Beach, FL - Destination: 64X, Stuart, FL - Airport: 64FA, Naked Lady Ranch (PVT), runway 18, 3,300 × 75 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 22; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review April 20, 2002; seat: right; flight hours: 800 total, 150 in this make and model, 600 as pilot in command, 55 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 160° at 17 knots, gusting 29 - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft broken - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 30.11 inHg - Observed at: SUA, 7 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 20021231038629A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20021231038629A), Dec 31, 2002: Cessna 172F, Naked Lady Ranc, FL, Substantial damage. (-23) Flight departed daytona beach, Florida for Naked Lady ranch (a Private Airport, located 5 miles sw of stuart, Florida). Prior to departure from daytona… 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.