# NTSB CEN11CA409: Cessna 172N, N739ZN, Santa Teresa, NM, June 19, 2011

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: June 19, 2011, 11:15 local (17:15 UTC)
- Place: Santa Teresa, NM
- Coordinates: 31.880832, -106.704719 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.8808&lon=-106.7047&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 22, 2011
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: FAA Flight Standards District Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 80841
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN11CA409
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/80841/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=80841
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11CA409

## Probable cause

The pilot's inadequate compensation for the wind condition, resulting in a runway excursion.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 29 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md)
- [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Response/compensation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 28 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md)
- [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 28 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md)
- [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 19 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/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: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 46 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md)

## Analysis

According to the pilot, as the flight was inbound for landing, the wind was 60 degrees off the runway heading at 19 knots, gusting to 25 knots. He described the landing as hard followed by minor bounces. The airplane operator discovered propeller tip damage and substantial damage to the firewall the following day. The pilot stated there were no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies with the airplane.

## Factual narrative

According to the pilot, the wind was 60 degrees off runway heading at 9 knots when he departed the airport. When he returned for landing the winds were 60 degrees off runway heading at 22 knots and gusting. He described the landing as hard followed by minor bounces. The airplane operator discovered propeller tip damage and substantial damage to the firewall the following day.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N739ZN](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N739ZN), registered now, S/N 17270938, built 1978 (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: 17270938
- Airframe hours: 7935
- Engines: Lycoming O-360-A4M 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Blue Feather Aero
- Registered owner: CP Aviation Services Co.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 7, 2011, 21 hours before
- Departed: 5T6, Santa Teresa, NM
- Destination: 5T6, Santa Teresa, NM
- Airport: 5T6, Dona Ana County Airport, runway 28, 8,500 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review March 11, 2011; seat: left; flight hours: 55 total, 46 in this make and model, 23 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 19 knots, gusting 25
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 20110619014969A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110619014969A), Jun 19, 2011: Cessna 172N, Santa Teresa, NM, Substantial damage. Blue feather aero maintenance personnel reported, after the aircraft returned from a flight they noticed the cowling mounts were broke and damage to the prop.…

## Docket (3 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 4, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=80841. 232 KB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 144 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40350745&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF
- Photo 1 - Propeller tip damage (item 2, .PDF, 31 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40350776&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20-%20Propeller%20tip%20damage-Master.PDF
- Photo 2 - Buckled firewall (item 3, .PDF, 57 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40350777&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%20-%20Buckled%20firewall-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.

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