# NTSB BFO90LA020: Cessna 172, N8488U, Staunton, VA, January 10, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 10, 1990, 14:50 local (19:50 UTC)
- Place: Staunton, VA
- Coordinates: 38.150905, -79.060684 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.1509&lon=-79.0607&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 4, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11576
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO90LA020
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11576/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO90LA020

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE DURING A CROSSWIND LANDING.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - downhill

## Analysis

THE PLT REPORTED LANDING ON THE CENTERLINE OF RWY 23. DURING THE LANDING ROLL, THE ACFT TRAVELED OFF THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RWY, THROUGH GRASS AND DOWN A STEEP EMBANKMENT, WHERE IT NOSED OVER. THE PLT REPORTED WINDS WERE FROM 270 DEGS TO 310 DEGS AT 18 KNOTS GUSTING TO 25 KNOTS. DURING A WX OBSERVATION ABOUT 5 MINUTES BEFORE THE ACCIDENT, THE WINDS WERE FROM 270 DEGS AT 8 KNOTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8488U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8488U-1994-05-18), registration cancelled 1994-05-18, S/N 17252388 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- Registry model: [Cessna 172F](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172f) (registry code 2072414) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17252388
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300-D 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: August Aviation Corp.
- Registered owner: Leo Lafferty
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: FDK, FREDERICK, MD
- Airport: SHD, Shenandoah Valley, runway 23, 6,002 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 183 total, 59 in this make and model, 183 as pilot in command, 24 in the last 90 days, 16 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 280° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 45 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SHD

## 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 19900110000379A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900110000379A), Jan 10, 1990: Cessna 172F, Staunton-Waynes, VA, Substantial damage. Lost control landing in gusty crosswind. Ran off runway,down embankment and nosed over.

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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