# NTSB BFO94LA047: Cessna 172M, N5272R, Slatington, PA, February 22, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: February 22, 1994, 09:20 local (14:20 UTC) - Place: Slatington, PA - Coordinates: 40.750991, -75.610107 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.7510&lon=-75.6101&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 14, 1994 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 8896 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO94LA047 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8896/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO94LA047 ## Probable cause THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR WIND CONDITIONS AND FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ALIGNMENT WITH THE RUNWAY. THE CROSSWIND WAS A FACTOR. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown - terrain condition - snowbank - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - proper alignment - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis DURING THE APPROACH TO THE 30-FOOT-WIDE RUNWAY (RUNWAY 01), THE AIRPLANE STARTED TO DRIFT RIGHT. THE PILOT STATED THAT BEFORE HE COULD CORRECT THE AIRPLANE'S FLIGHT PATH, THE AIRPLANE'S RIGHT WHEEL IMPACTED A 3 TO 4-FOOT-HIGH SNOW BANK LOCATED ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY (BOTH SIDES OF THE RUNWAY HAD SNOW BANKS). THE PILOT STATED THAT WHEN THE RIGHT WHEEL IMPACTED THE SNOW BANK, THE AIRPLANE'S LEFT WING CONTACTED THE GROUND AND WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED. THE PILOT STATED THAT THERE WERE NO AIRFRAME OR ENGINE MECHANICAL MALFUNCTIONS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT, THE WINDS WERE COMING FROM THE WEST AT A VELOCITY OF 5 TO 8 KNOTS. ## Factual narrative On Tuesday, February 22, 1994, at 0920 eastern standard time, a Cessna 172M, N5272R, owned and operated by the Richmond Pilots Association Incorporated, of Staten Island, New York, and piloted by Robert Kingsley of Staten Island, impacted a snow bank during a landing at the Slatington Airport, Slatington, Pennsylvania, and was substantially damaged. The pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The cross country personal flight originated from the Linden Airport in Linden, New Jersey, and was destined for the Slatington Airport. The flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to the pilot, about 100 feet from the end of the 30- foot-wide runway, the airplane started to drift to the right of the runway centerline. The pilot stated that before he could correct the airplane's flight path, the airplane's right wheel impacted a 3 to 4-foot-high snow bank located on the side of the runway. (Snow banks were present on both sides of the runway.) The pilot stated, "...[The] Right wheel caught snow bank about 1/2 way up. Aircraft turned to the right into the bank. Left wing hit ground as aircraft pivoted." The left wing was substantially damaged. The pilot reported that there were no airplane mechanical malfunctions prior to the accident. At the time of the accident, the winds were coming from the west at a velocity of 5 knots and were gusting to 8 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5272R](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5272R), registered now, S/N 17263486, built 1974 (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: 17263486 - Airframe hours: 6166 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Richmond Pilots Association - Registered owner: Richmond Pilots Association - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 8, 1993, 101 hours before - Departed: LDJ, LINDEN, NJ - Destination: 69N - Airport: 69N, Slatington Airport, runway 1, 1,950 × 30 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 57; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 489 total, 200 in this make and model, 429 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 290° at 5 knots, gusting 8 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 19 °F ## 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 19940222002789A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940222002789A), Feb 22, 1994: Cessna 172M, Slatington, PA, Substantial damage. Near end of runway and landing rollout swerved to right. Right wheel caught snow. Aircraft rotated into snowbank. 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.