# NTSB ATL05CA062: Cessna 172P, N5456K, Redstone Arsnl, AL, March 12, 2005 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: March 12, 2005, 07:58 local (13:58 UTC) - Place: Redstone Arsnl, AL - Coordinates: 34.671943, -86.692222 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.6719&lon=-86.6922&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report June 8, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA Birmingham FSDO - 09 - NTSB case key (mKey): 61141 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL05CA062 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/61141/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL05CA062 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed during approach, which resulted in an inadvertent stall and subsequent collision with the runway. Factors were the turbulence and crosswind conditions. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, landing - flare/touchdown - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command - weather condition - turbulence (contributing factor) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - runway ## Analysis The pilot stated he departed and immediately encountered "very turbulent wind" and decided to return for landing. The pilot stated the airplane was very difficult to control in all three axes. The pilot stated that, while on final approach just over runway 17, he observed the airspeed around 60 knots and the stall warning was flickering. The pilot stated he added power and reduced flaps for a go-around. He stated the airplane stalled, and he continued to pull back on the yoke. The airplane collided with the runway and caught fire. Two witnesses on the ramp observed the airplane on final approach and reported it appeared to have approximately 30 degrees of crab into the wind. One witness reported the airplane's nose pitched up, dropped suddenly, then about 30 feet above the ground, the airplane's nosed pitched up again, followed by an abrupt drop to the runway. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunction with the airplane. A review of recorded weather data from Huntsville International Airport, Huntsville, Alabama, located 4.6 nautical miles west of the accident site, revealed at 0753 winds were reported from 230 degrees at 12 knots. ## Factual narrative On March 12, 2005, about 0758 central standard time, a Cessna 172P, N5456K, registered to and operated by Redstone Arsenal Flying Activity, collided with the runway and caught fire during landing at Redstone Army Airfield (AAF), Redstone Arsenal, Alabama. The personal flight was operated under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 with a visual flight rules plan filed but not activated. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The private pilot received minor injuries, and the airplane was destroyed by post-crash fire. The flight departed Redstone AAF, Redstone, Alabama, about 0755. The pilot stated he departed runway 17 and intended to fly the airplane to Fayetteville, Tennessee, but encountered "very turbulent wind" immediately after departure and decided to return for landing. The pilot stated the airplane was very difficult to control in all three axes, and "the airplane speed and the airplane itself were never stable." The pilot stated that, while on final approach just over the runway, he observed the airspeed around 60 knots and the stall warning was flickering. He stated he added power and last observed the airspeed going over 80 knots. The pilot stated he began reducing flaps for a go-around. He stated, "my left hand was pulling the yoke back and [my] right hand was giving it power and moving the flaps. Then the plane stalled, with the nose going down. I pulled back on the yoke as much as possible, but my pull had no effect." The airplane collided with the runway, and the pilot saw flames on the left side of the airplane. The pilot exited the airplane out the right-side door. Two witnesses on the ramp observed the airplane on final approach and reported it appeared to have approximately 30 degrees of crab into the wind. One witness reported the airplane's nose pitched up, dropped suddenly, then about 30 feet above the ground, the airplane's nosed pitched up again, followed by an abrupt drop to the runway. The second witness reported the airplane appeared to struggle for final line-up on the runway, then it seemed to fall out of the sky. Examination of the airplane revealed the nose gear was collapsed, the propeller tips were damaged, and the fuselage and left wing were consumed by fire. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunction with the airplane. A review of recorded weather data from Huntsville International Airport, Huntsville, Alabama, located 4.6 nautical miles west of the accident site, revealed at 0753 winds were reported from 230 degrees at 12 knots. A witness at the accident location reported the windsock direction varied from 200 degrees to 290 degrees. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5456K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5456K-2007-05-23), registration cancelled 2007-05-23, S/N 17274122, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172P - Registry model: [Cessna 172P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172p) (registry code 2072436) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17274122 - Airframe hours: 7337 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-A4M reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Redstone Arsenal Flying Activity - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility - Last inspection: 100 hour, March 11, 2005, 1 hours before - Departed: Redstone Arsnl, AL - Destination: KFYM, Fayetteville, TN - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: KHUA, Redstone AAF, runway 17, 7,300 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 67; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review November 13, 2004; seat: left; flight hours: 207 total, 72 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 230° at 12 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 34 °F - Altimeter: 29.77 inHg - Observed at: KHSV, 5 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 20050312003339A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050312003339A), Mar 12, 2005: Cessna 172P, Huntsville, AL, Destroyed. (-23) While on approach to rwy 17, pilot in command lost control of airplane in crosswind, resulting in uncontrolled touchdown, and post crash fire due to… ## Other investigations on N5456K (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 ATL81FID05](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL81FID05), Dec 7, 1980: Cessna 172 (N5456K), Tangier Island, VA, substantial damage 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.