# NTSB BFO90LA051: Cessna 172P, N51706, Chesterfield, VA, May 31, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 31, 1990, 08:25 local (12:25 UTC)
- Place: Chesterfield, VA
- Coordinates: 37.400909, -77.450103 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.4009&lon=-77.4501&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): 11597
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO90LA051
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11597/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO90LA051

## Probable cause

THE STUDENT PILOT'S IMPROPER COMPENSATION FOR WIND CONDITIONS AND FAILURE TO MAINTAIN RUNWAY ALIGNMENT.

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper alignment - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

WHILE ON APPROACH DURING THE FIFTH TOUCH AND GO LANDING, THE STUDENT PILOT NOTED A RAPID SINK RATE AND THAT THE AIRCRAFT WAS LEFT OF THE RUNWAY CENTERLINE. HE ADDED POWER TO ARREST THE RATE OF DESCENT AND NOTED THAT THE AIRCRAFT REMAINED LEFT OF THE RUNWAY. HE THEN RAISED THE FLAPS TO 10 DEGREES AND INITIATED A GO-AROUND. THE AIRCRAFT CONTINUED TO DESCEND AND IT TOUCHED DOWN LEFT OF THE RUNWAY PAVEMENT. THE STUDENT PILOT'S LOGBOOK INDICATED THAT HE HAD NOT FLOWN WITH A FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR FOR OVER THREE MONTHS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N51706 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172P
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17274339
- Airframe hours: 2178
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D2J 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Delta Associates, Inc
- Registered owner: Delta Associtates, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: W98, CHESTERFIELD, VA
- Airport: W98, Chesterfield County, runway 15, 5,500 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 26; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 22 total, 22 in this make and model, 4 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 40° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 11,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: RIC, 12 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 19900531018249A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900531018249A), May 31, 1990: Cessna 172, Richmond, VA, Substantial damage. Left of runway on approach. Began go around but aircraft touched down off runway. No CFI dual in three months.

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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