# NTSB BFO88LA053: Cessna 172P, N65720, Gaithersburg, MD, June 6, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 6, 1988, 09:30 local (13:30 UTC)
- Place: Gaithersburg, MD
- Coordinates: 39.169113, -77.179847 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.1691&lon=-77.1798&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 3, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11417
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO88LA053
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11417/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO88LA053

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, landing - roll
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO THE PLT, AFTER TOUCHDOWN THE ACFT ENCOUNTERED A CROSSWIND GUST. THE ACFT DRIFTED LEFT OF THE RWY WHERE IT COLLIDED WITH TREES. THE PLT REPORTED NO MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N65720](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N65720-2008-09-16), registration cancelled 2008-09-16, S/N 17275833, built 1983 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172P
- Registry model: [Cessna 172P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172p) (registry code 2072436) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17275833
- Airframe hours: 2288
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D2J 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Aero Flight Inc.
- Registered owner: Tpk Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, April 15, 1988, 50 hours before
- Departed: N80, OCEAN CITY, MD
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: GAI, Gaithersburg-Montgomery, runway 32, 4,235 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 26; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 78 total, 8 in this make and model, 28 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 340° at 13 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: BWI, 23 nm away

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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