# NTSB CEN20CA040: Cessna 172, N739SB, Pineville, LA, December 23, 2019 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: December 23, 2019, 13:30 local (19:30 UTC) - Place: Pineville, LA - Coordinates: 31.342222, -92.443611 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.3422&lon=-92.4436&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 16, 2020 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 100721 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN20CA040 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/100721/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20CA040 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to attain an adequate climb rate during an aborted landing with a left quartering, gusting headwind, which resulted in impact with a tree. ## 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 172N, 150 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: climb rate](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062035): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062035/cases.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 265 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062035/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (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) - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 14 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 18 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) - [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 81 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-aborted after touchdown: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490); cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 18 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, while on final approach, he listened to the automated weather broadcast at a local airport to confirm wind direction and speed. The broadcast weather indicated that there would be a left quartering headwind, and the wave direction on the surface of the lake surrounding the airport corroborated this information. The pilot stated that the wind was gusting, but he was able to touch down smoothly on the runway. The airplane encountered a "strong" wind gust from the right and then headed left toward a ditch. The pilot increased the throttle to conduct an aborted landing. The airplane gained altitude and avoided impacting the ditch; however, the wing struck a tree, and the airplane flipped over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The private pilot reported that he checked aviation weather services and an automated weather broadcast before departing with a passenger on a local sightseeing flight. As the flight was returning to land, the pilot listened to the automated weather broadcast at a local airport to confirm wind direction and speed. The destination airport windsock was not operational. The broadcasted weather indicated there would be a left quartering headwind, and the wave direction on the surface of the lake surrounding the airport corroborated this wind condition. The pilot stated that the wind was gusty, but he was able to touch down smoothly on the runway. The airplane encountered a "strong" wind gust from the right side, and the airplane headed left towards a ditch. The pilot increased the throttle to perform an aborted landing. The airplane gained altitude and avoided impacting the ditch, a parked airplane, and a fence. However, the wing struck a small tree, and the airplane "flipped" at that point and sustained substantial fuselage and wing damage. The pilot stated there was no mechanical malfunction/failure of the airplane during the flight. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N739SB](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N739SB-2021-10-09), registration cancelled 2021-10-09, S/N 17270759, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172 (N) - 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: 17270759 - Year built: 1978 - Airframe hours: 12108.6 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Flightline Leasing Inc - Registered owner: Flightline Leasing Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, October 17, 2019 - Departed: 2L0, Pineville, LA - Destination: 2L0, Pineville, LA - Airport: 2L0, Pineville Muni, runway 36, 3,000 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 33; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review December 5, 2019; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 62 total, 60 in this make and model, 13 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 310° at 10 knots, gusting 19 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 30.02 inHg - Observed at: KAEX, 6 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 20191223019849A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20191223019849A), Dec 23, 2019: Cessna 172N, Pineville, LA, Substantial damage. While attempting to land on runway 36 a strong gust of wind hit the right side of the aircraft. Pilot decided to abort his landing and go around to avoid… 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.