# NTSB BFO94LA116: Cessna 172P, N5435K, Massena, NY, June 26, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 26, 1994, 10:45 local (14:45 UTC) - Place: Massena, NY - Coordinates: 44.920688, -74.889564 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.9207&lon=-74.8896&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 4 minor - Status: Completed, report August 31, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 8944 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO94LA116 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8944/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO94LA116 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper compensation for wind conditions. ## 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 - weather condition - high wind (contributing factor) - weather evaluation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - compensation for wind conditions - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - ground loop/swerve - encountered, pilot in command ## Analysis AS THE PILOT TOUCHED DOWN ON RUNWAY 27, THE AIRPLANE'S LEFT WING LIFTED, AND THE AIRPLANE DRIFTED TO THE RIGHT. THE PILOT STATED '...I IMMEDIATELY TRIED TO RECOVER BY ADVANCING THE THROTTLE AND USING AILERON AND RUDDER, BUT MY AIRSPEED WAS TO LOW....' THE RIGHT WING TIP HIT THE GROUND. THE AIRPLANE GROUND LOOPED AND THE LEFT WING HIT THE GROUND. POST ACCIDENT EXAMINATION REVEALED NO PRE-IMPACT ANOMALIES. WINDS REPORTED AT MASSENA INTERNATIONAL AT 1050, WERE FROM 240 DEGREES AT 24 KNOTS WITH GUSTS UP TO 32 KNOTS. ## Factual narrative On June 26, 1994, about 1045 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172P, N5435K, piloted by Robert W. Forbes, on a personal flight, was substantially damaged during landing at Massena, International Richards Field (MSS), Massena, New York. The pilot and three passengers received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The flight was being conducted under CFR 14 Part 91. In the NTSB form 6120.1/2, the pilot stated, ...A few minutes after departure I decided to return, due to moderate turbulence. I was on final approach for runway 27 with 0 flaps. The wind sock was indicating a wind direction equally between runways 27 and 23. As I touched down on the center of runway 27 and was about to lower the nose of the plane on the runway, a sudden, huge gust of wind hit me from the left side. It picked the left side of the plane first, then the whole plane off the runway, over the field north of the runway. I immediately tried to recover by advancing the throttle and using aileron and rudder, but my airspeed was to low for recovery. The plane hit the ground on the right wing tip, did a ground loop and landed on the left wing tip and came to rest with the right wing tip on the ground and the left wing tip in the air.... Post accident examination by a Federal Aviation Administration Inspector revealed, no discrepancies. The weather at MSS reported at 1050, was, 1500 feet scattered, 3000 feet broken, 7 miles visibility, Altimeter 29.72"Hg, winds were from 240 degrees at 24 knots with gusts up to 32 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5435K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5435K-1995-01-06), registration cancelled 1995-01-06, S/N 17274109 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172P - Registry model: [Cessna 172P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172p) (registry code 2072436) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17274109 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D2J 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Robert W. Forbes - Registered owner: Poor Richards Flying Club - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: MSS - Airport: MSS, Massena Intl Richards Fld, runway 27, 4,000 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 41; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 117 total, 117 in this make and model, 71 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 240° at 24 knots, gusting 32 - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 3,000 ft broken - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: MSS ## 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 19940626016839A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940626016839A), Jun 26, 1994: Cessna 172P, Massena, NY, Substantial damage. Encountered adverse headwinds and rolled over during landing. 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.