# NTSB ATL99LA090: Cessna 172M, N20417, Double Springs, AL, May 16, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 16, 1999, 12:45 local (17:45 UTC) - Place: Double Springs, AL - Coordinates: 34.140449, -87.399276 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.1404&lon=-87.3993&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 25, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 46333 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL99LA090 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/46333/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL99LA090 ## Probable cause THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT DURING LANDING. A FACTOR WAS THE PILOT'S LACK OF EXPERIENCE. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - flare/touchdown - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - lack of total experience in kind of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor) - On ground/water collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown - object - tree(s) ## Analysis The student pilot reported that, while attempting a landing on runway 03, the airplane encountered a crosswind and veered off the left side of the runway. He applied slight power to settle the airplane down gently, and realized the wind had blown him off the runway. He applied carburetor heat, retracted flaps, and applied power. The airplane went down an embankment, and the left wing collided with a tree at the bottom of the embankment where the airplane came to rest. Examination of the airplane failed to disclose a mechanical malfunction or a component failure. No mechanical problems with the airplane were reported by the pilot. ## Factual narrative On May 16, 1999, at 1245 central daylight time, a Cessna 172M, N20417, collided with trees on the departure end of runway 03 at the Double Springs Airport in Double Springs, Alabama. The airplane was operated by the student pilot under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91, and visual flight rules. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local training flight. The student pilot was not injured and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The training flight departed Jasper Airport in Jasper, Alabama, at 1215. According to the student pilot, while attempting a landing on runway 03, the airplane encountered a crosswind and veered off the left side of the runway. He applied slight power to settle the airplane down gently, and realized the wind had blown him off the runway. He applied carburetor heat, retracted flaps, and applied power. The airplane went down an embankment, and the left wing collided with a tree at the bottom of the embankment where the airplane came to rest. Examination of the airplane failed to disclose a mechanical malfunction or a component failure. No mechanical problems with the airplane were reported by the pilot. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N20417](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N20417-2012-08-08), registration cancelled 2012-08-08, S/N 17261272, built 1972 (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: 17261272 - Airframe hours: 3443 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Dana Lane - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 16, 1998, 1 hours before - Departed: JFX, JASPER, AL - Destination: 3M2, DOUBLE SPRINGS, AL - Airport: 3M2, Double Springs, runway 3, 3,403 × 78 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 48; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 65 total, 58 in this make and model, 31 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 150° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 64 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: MSL, 33 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 19990516005199A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990516005199A), May 16, 1999: Cessna 172M, Double Spring, AL, Substantial damage. Acft was landing on rwy 21 when a gust of wind blew the acft off of the rwy, and it went down an embankment, other circumstances are unknown.(.4) the student… 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.