# NTSB ATL89LA089: Cessna 172, N739US, Wilmington, OH, February 17, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 17, 1989, 12:15 local (17:15 UTC)
- Place: Wilmington, OH
- Coordinates: 39.440731, -83.830566 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.4407&lon=-83.8306&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report April 24, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7988
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL89LA089
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7988/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL89LA089

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO ADEQUATELY COMPENSATE FOR WIND CONDITIONS, TO MAINTAIN PROPER RUNWAY ALIGNMENT, AND HIS DELAY IN ABORTING THE LANDING. CONTRIBUTING FACTORS WERE: VARIABLE CROSSWIND CONDITIONS AND A SMALL TREE.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, landing - aborted
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper alignment - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - aborted landing - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - aborted

## Analysis

THE PILOT RPRTD THAT AS HE STARTED FLARING TO LAND, THE ACFT BEGAN DRIFTING TO THE RIGHT. HE TRIED TO CORRECT THE SITUATION, BUT THE ACFT CONTINUED DRIFTING TO THE RIGHT TOWARD A DITCH. HE INITIATED A GO-AROUND, BUT THE ACFT SETTLED TO THE FROZEN GROUND, HIT A SMALL TREE ON THE EAST SIDE OF THE RWY & WAS DAMAGED. THE PLT ESTIMATED THE WIND WAS VARIABLE AT 20 KTS. ABOUT 30 MI NORTHWEST AT DAYTON, THE WIND WAS RPRTD TO BE FROM 060 DEG AT 10 KTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N739US (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17270822
- Airframe hours: 2000
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Kenneth W. Powell
- Registered owner: Kenneth W Powell
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 4, 1988, 452 hours before
- Departed: SEYMOUR, IN
- Destination: I66
- Airport: I66, Clinton County, runway 2, 3,500 × 25 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 537 total, 343 in this make and model, 370 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: variable at 20 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 19 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: DAY

## 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 19890217002269A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890217002269A), Feb 17, 1989: Cessna 172N, Wilmington, OH, Substantial damage. Allowed aircraft to drift off runway alignment on short final and hit a tree. Strong crosswind.

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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