# NTSB CEN23LA111: Cessna 172K, N84688, Moline, IL, February 19, 2023 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: February 19, 2023, 09:10 local (15:10 UTC) - Place: Moline, IL - Coordinates: 41.448854, -90.499677 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.4489&lon=-90.4997&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA - Greater Chicago FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 106749 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN23LA111 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/106749/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=106749 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23LA111 ## Probable cause The student pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll in gusting crosswind conditions. ## 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 172K, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2072430), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Contributed to outcome (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172K, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=2072430), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172K, 33 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072430), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Response/compensation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172K, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=2072430), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: sign/marker](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Cessna 172K, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022015/cases.md?model=2072430), [All aircraft, 214 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022015/cases.md) - [Oversight: oversight of operation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/04032015): Organizational issues › Support/oversight/monitoring · Training organization; cases with it: [Cessna 172K, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/04032015/cases.md?model=2072430), [All aircraft, 61 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/04032015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172K, 16 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2072430), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Cessna 172K, 15 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=2072430), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 172K, 33 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2072430), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The solo student pilot stated he was in the practice area and made the decision to return to the departure airport due to increasing winds. The pilot reported that on the landing rollout he felt a “large gust of wind” elevate the left wing making the airplane veer to the right. The pilot attempted to “pull back and brake.” The airplane exited the runway, and the left main wheel and strut impacted a runway sign which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. A wind limitation in the flight school pre-solo packet states surface winds must be “less than 15 knot winds” and “less than 7 knot crosswind component.” The flight instructor did not list any limitations on the student’s initial solo endorsement. Five minutes before the accident, surface winds were reported from 230° at 17 knots, gusting to 26 knots. The student pilot was landing on runway 27. Runway 23 was closed at the time of the accident. According to the owner of the flight school, the student did not check in with her before launching to discuss weather and his flight plan as he was supposed to. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N84688](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N84688), registered now, S/N 17258578, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172K - Registry model: [Cessna 172K](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172k) (registry code 2072430) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17258578 - Year built: 1969 - Airframe hours: 44781.8 - Engines: Lycoming O-320E2D 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Quad Cities Aero, LLC - Registered owner: Quad Cities Aero, LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, February 9, 2023 - Destination: Same as departure - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: MLI, Quad Cities Intl, runway 27, 10,002 × 150 ft, concrete - Equipment: ADS-B, Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 45; injuries: none; student; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 93.7 total, 34.1 in this make and model, 9 as pilot in command, 17 in the last 90 days, 8.2 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 230° at 17 knots, gusting 26 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 45 °F, dew point 28 °F - Altimeter: 29.83 inHg - Observed at: KMLI, 1 nm away - METAR: KMLI 191505Z AUTO 23017G26KT 10SM CLR 07/M02 A2983 RMK T00701020 ## 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 20230219002889A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20230219002889A), Feb 19, 2023: Cessna 172K, Moline, IL, Substantial damage. When: February 19, 2023 at 1510Z Where: Moline, IL A student pilot was operating a Cessna 172K, [privacy data omitted], departing from Quad Cities… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 6, 2023, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=106749. 1.7 MB in all. - Photos (item 1, PDF, 3 pages, 3 photos, 860 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15124934&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Array-Rel.pdf - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 2, PDF, 11 pages, 609 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15188048&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120.1_fierce_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Record of conversation (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 66 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15242555&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20Quad%20Cities-Rel.pdf - Solo limitations sheet (item 4, PDF, 1 page, 120 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15233778&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Pre-Solo%20Packet-Rel.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.