# NTSB ATL97LA105: Cessna 172N, N737EV, Lakeland, FL, July 15, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 15, 1997, 18:30 local (22:30 UTC) - Place: Lakeland, FL - Coordinates: 27.970415, -81.939216 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.9704&lon=-81.9392&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 30, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 3876 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL97LA105 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3876/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL97LA105 ## Probable cause the student pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions and failure to maintain proper runway alignment during the landing, which resulted in a collision with a runway marker. The rear-quartering tailwind (crosswind) and gusts were related factors. ## 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 - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor) - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - proper alignment - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll - object - airport sign/marker (contributing factor) ## Analysis While practicing landings on runway 09, the student pilot experienced a quartering tailwind of 10 knots, gusting to 20 knots. Subsequently, the airplane landed in grass to the left side of the runway. Before stopping, the aircraft hit a runway marking sign, damaging the left horizontal stabilizer and elevator. The winds were reported to be from 200 degrees. ## Factual narrative On July 15, 1997, about 1830 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172N, N737EV, collided with a sign when it veered off the runway during landing at the Lakeland Airport, Lakeland, Florida. The airplane was operated by the pilot under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91, and visual flight rules. Visual meteorological conditions existed, and no flight plan was filed for the local, instructional flight. The student pilot, who was the sole occupant, was not injured, and the airplane was substantially damaged. The flight originated from Lakeland about 1800 on the same day. The student pilot stated that she was practicing solo touch and go landings but had elected to make a full stop landing on runway 09 when the accident occurred. According to the pilot, she noticed turbulence while on approach, and recalled that she did not receive any wind change information from Air Traffic ControL, and continued onto final. She said that upon landing and flare, she experienced "high winds" causing the plane to veer off the runway to the left. The aircraft traveled through the grass and struck a runway marking sign, causing substantial damage to the left horizontal stabilizer and elevator, and minor damage to the landing gear. According to the FAA, the winds were reported from 200 degrees at 10 knots gusting to 20 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N737EV](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N737EV-2018-05-09), registration cancelled 2018-05-09, S/N 17269369, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172N - 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: 17269369 - Airframe hours: 3478 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Calvin L. Wyatt - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 2, 1996, 69 hours before - Departed: KLAL - Airport: LAL, Lakeland Linder Regional, runway 9, 8,550 × 150 ft, concrete ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 52; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 67 total, 64 in this make and model, 67 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 220° at 10 knots, gusting 20 - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 4,500 ft broken - Temperature: 81 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: LAL ## 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 19970715018589A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970715018589A), Jul 15, 1997: Cessna 172N, Lakeland, FL, Substantial damage. Landing quartering tailwind. Veered off runway. Struck marker. (-23) during landing of C-172 on runway 9 at lal, student pilot inadequately compensated for… ## Other investigations on N737EV (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 LAX87FA290](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87FA290), Aug 4, 1987: Cessna 172N (N737EV), Palmdale, CA, 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.