# NTSB ATL87LA237: Cessna 172, N733DQ, Jacksonville, AL, August 18, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 18, 1987, 18:30 local (23:30 UTC)
- Place: Jacksonville, AL
- Coordinates: 33.809291, -85.759231 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8093&lon=-85.7592&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 11, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7503
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL87LA237
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7503/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL87LA237

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- On ground/water encounter with weather, landing
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - thunderstorm (contributing factor)
  - 
  - weather condition - high wind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, landing - flare/touchdown
  - recovery from bounced landing - initiated, pilot in command
  - directional control - not possible
  - ground loop/swerve - uncontrolled
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT DEPARTED JACKSONVILLE IN VFR CONDS WITHOUT OBTAINING A WX BRIEFING. WHILE EN ROUTE, SHE OBSERVED THUNDERSTORM ACTIVITY & ELECTED TO RETURN TO JACKSONVILLE. BY THE TIME SHE RETURNED, THE WX HAD DETERIORATED & THE WIND HAD SHIFTED TO THE SOUTH. THE WIND VELOCITY WAS ESTIMATED TO BE ABOUT 20 KTS SINCE THE WIND SOCK WAS FULLY EXTENDED. DRG A LANDING ON RWY 27, THE ACFT BOUNCED & THE PLT LOST DIRECTIONAL CONTROL. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT HIT A DITCH & WAS DAMAGED. THE PLT OPERG HANDBOOK STATED THAT WITH AVERAGE PLT TECHNIQUE, A DIRECT X-WIND OF 15 KTS COULD BE HANDLED WITH SAFETY. THE PLT EXTIMATED THE WIND WAS GUSTING TO 30 KTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N733DQ](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N733DQ-2018-01-26), registration cancelled 2018-01-26, S/N 17268218, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17268218
- Airframe hours: 4220
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Gold Dust Flying Service
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 10, 1987, 70 hours before
- Destination: GADSDEN, AL
- Airport: Jacksonville, runway 27, 3,000 × 40 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 26; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 80 total, 30 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 20 knots, gusting 30
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19870818051879A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870818051879A), Aug 18, 1987: Cessna 172N, Jacksonville, AL, Substantial damage. Landed hard in gusty crosswind. Bounced 3 times, veered off runway into ditch. Crosswind component exceeded.

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.

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