# NTSB CEN14CA496: Cessna 172M, N3510Q, Oxford, WI, September 11, 2014 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 11, 2014, 18:30 local (23:30 UTC) - Place: Oxford, WI - Coordinates: 43.742221, -89.71611 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.7422&lon=-89.7161&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: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 9, 2014 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - NTSB case key (mKey): 90073 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN14CA496 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/90073/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90073 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14CA496 ## Probable cause The pilot did not compensate for the decrease in the crosswind when he descended below the tree line during the landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 123 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 16 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md) - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Response/compensation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 19 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=2072418), [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: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 47 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 100 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported he was landing on runway 36 when the accident occurred. He listened to the automated weather reporting station from an airport 13 miles away and the wind was reported as being from 350 degrees at 5 knots. He stated he established a crab angle to compensate for the wind while on final approach. Upon reaching an altitude of 50 feet above the ground, he noticed a decrease in the crosswind and an increased sink rate. The airplane traveled to the left side of the airstrip where it contacted high brush. The airplane yawed further to the left where it contacted trees resulting in substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported he was landing on runway 36 when the accident occurred. He listened to the automated weather reporting station from an airport 13 miles away and the wind was reported as being from 350 degrees at 5 knots. He stated he established a crab angle to compensate for the wind while on final approach. Upon reaching an altitude of 50 feet above the ground, he noticed a decrease in the crosswind and an increased sink rate. The airplane traveled to the left side of the airstrip where it contacted high brush. The airplane yawed further to the left where it contacted trees resulting in substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3510Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3510Q-2018-02-13), registration cancelled 2018-02-13, S/N 17261656, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172M (M) - 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: 17261656 - Year built: 1973 - Airframe hours: 3709 - Engines: LYCOMING 0-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Fire: Unknown - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 18, 2014, 17 hours before - Departed: RAC, Racine, WI - Destination: RAC, Oxford, WI - Airport: RAC, Polish Paradise Airport, runway 36, 2,000 × 40 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 65; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 3, 2013; seat: left; flight hours: 2,195 total, 2,055 in this make and model, 2,060 as pilot in command, 33 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 350° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 3,500 ft overcast - Temperature: 50 °F, dew point 39 °F - Altimeter: 30.23 inHg - Observed at: DLL, 13 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 20140911016469A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140911016469A), Sep 11, 2014: Cessna 172M, Oxford, WI, Substantial damage. At approximately 2300Z on 9/11/2014, N3510Q was involved in an accident while on approach to landing at the Polish Paradise Airport (WS02) near Oxford, WI. The… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 2, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90073. 999 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 999 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40417237&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.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.