# NTSB CEN11CA248: Cessna 172N, N9961E, Graham, TX, March 26, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: March 26, 2011, 13:00 local (18:00 UTC) - Place: Graham, TX - Coordinates: 33.110553, -98.554725 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.1106&lon=-98.5547&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 20, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 78701 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN11CA248 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/78701/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=78701 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11CA248 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 82 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 45 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR go-around: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 134 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot stated that as he neared the runway for touchdown, the airplane experienced a left-quartering crosswind that pushed him off the runway. He added that since the wheels had not touched the runway, he added power for a go-around. However, the airplane continued off the right side of the runway and the right main landing gear impacted an airport sign. The airplane subsequently came to rest in an upright position, just off the runway surface. An examination of the airplane by the responding Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that the airplane’s fuselage right main gearbox and firewall structures were buckled. ## Factual narrative The pilot stated that as he neared the runway for touchdown, the airplane experienced a left-quartering crosswind that pushed him off the runway. Since the wheels had not touched the runway, he added power for a go-around. The airplane continued off the right side of the runway and the right main landing gear impacted an airport sign. The airplane subsequently came to rest in the upright position, just off the runway surface. An examination of the airplane by the responding Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that the airplane’s fuselage, right main gearbox, and firewall structures were buckled. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9961E](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9961E), registered now, S/N 17272300, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172N - Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17272300 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320 SERIES 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: KCWC, Wichita Falls, TX - Destination: KRPH, Graham, TX - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: KRPH, Graham Muncipal Airport, runway 21, 5,000 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 45; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review December 20, 2009; seat: left; flight hours: 71 total, 3 in this make and model, 20 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 160° at 4 knots - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 29.57 inHg - Observed at: KRPH ## 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 20110326005059A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110326005059A), Mar 26, 2011: Cessna 172N, Graham, TX, Substantial damage. On March 23, 2011 the pilot attempted to land at Graham, Texas (krph). The pilot attempted a go-around, veered off center, and hit a runway sign with the right… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 9, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=78701. 2.9 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 754 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40347104&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Weather Reports and Records (item 2, .PDF, 57 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40347106&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports%20and%20Records-Master.PDF - Accident Photographs (item 3, .PDF, 2.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40347107&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photographs-Master.PDF 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.