# NTSB ATL93LA140: Cessna 172M, N80797, Manteo, NC, August 3, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 3, 1993, 14:30 local (18:30 UTC)
- Place: Manteo, NC
- Coordinates: 35.889003, -75.659072 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.8890&lon=-75.6591&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 30, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 3249
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL93LA140
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3249/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL93LA140

## Probable cause

INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR WIND CONDITIONS BY THE PILOT.  FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE ADVERSE WIND AND THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO OBTAIN A WEATHER BRIEFING (INADEQUATE WEATHER EVALUATION).

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather evaluation - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - windshear (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT DURING THE FLARE/TOUCHDOWN PHASE OF THE LANDING, THE AIRPLANE ENCOUNTERED A WIND CONDITION THAT THAT SHE BELIEVED WAS WINDSHEAR.  SHE SAID THAT THIS RESULTED IN A NOSE HIGH PITCH ATTITUDE AND A DROP IN AIRSPEED. SHE LOST CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE, AND IT FELL NOSE FIRST AND COLLIDED WITH THE RUNWAY SURFACE.  WINDS IN THE LOCAL AREA WERE REPORTED AT FIVE KNOTS WITH STRONG GUSTS.  NO MECHANICAL PROBLEMS WERE REPORTED WITH THE AIRPLANE.  THERE WAS NO RECORD OF THE PILOT RECEIVING A WEATHER BRIEFING BEFORE OR DURING THE FLIGHT.

## Factual narrative

On August 3, 1993, at 1630 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172, N80797, collided with the runway while attempting a landing at the Dare County Regional Airport, Manteo, North Carolina. The personal flight operated under 14 CFR Part 91 with no flight plan filed. Visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The airplane sustained substantial structural damage and the pilot was not injured. The flight departed Kill Devil Hill, North Carolina, at 1615 hours.

Reportedly, the pilot encountered a gust of wind during the touchdown phase of the approach.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N80797](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N80797), registered now, S/N 17266750 (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: 172-66750
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Kitty Hawk Aero Tours
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: FFA, KILL DEVIL HILL, NC
- Destination: MQI
- Airport: MQI, Dare County Regional, runway 22, 3,849 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,300 total, 250 in this make and model, 1,530 as pilot in command, 175 in the last 90 days, 75 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 160° at 5 knots, gusting 35
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 73 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MQI

## 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 19930803027679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930803027679A), Aug 3, 1993: Cessna 172M, Manteo, NC, Substantial damage. Wind shear on flare caused pitchup and stall. Dropped to runway nose first. No weather brief. Too much wind for 172

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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