# NTSB CEN24LA178: Cessna 172M, N69PW, Midland, TX, May 8, 2024 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: May 8, 2024, 13:15 local (18:15 UTC) - Place: Midland, TX - Coordinates: 31.855, -102.07394 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.8550&lon=-102.0739&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR go-around: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - 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 - NTSB case key (mKey): 194231 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN24LA178 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/194231/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=194231 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24LA178 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control during a go-around in a gusting crosswind, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and collision with terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s lack of system knowledge regarding the operation of the flaps. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Flight control system: tE flap control system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022750): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022750/cases.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 74 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022750/cases.md) - [Knowledge: knowledge of equipment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02032015): Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02032015/cases.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 69 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02032015/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 26 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 24 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/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 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) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach-VFR go-around: 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) - [Approach-VFR go-around: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241); cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 16 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 1,529 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md) - [Uncontrolled descent: 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 the airplane when a strong gust of wind pushed the airplane to the right about halfway down the runway. The pilot reported that after he initiated a go-around, the airplane became uncontrollable which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and impact with the ground. The impact resulted in substantial damage to the left wing and fuselage. Initially the pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions related to the airplane so the airplane was released to the owner. Later, the pilot reported that he did not hear the stall horn and suspected it was inoperable. He also stated that the flap switch physically stuck in the up position which retracted the flaps fully and contributed to the stall. The pilot was asked to describe the normal operation of the flap switch. He stated that holding the switch up raises the flaps, holding the switch down lowers the flaps, and letting go of the switch shuts off the flap motor. When follow up was conducted on the reported mechanical issues, the airplane was found stripped of parts, thus examination of the stall horn was not possible. The flap switch was removed and examined. The flap switch specifications and the Pilot Operating Handbook both stated that the switch would remain in the up position until the switch was physically moved to the center (off) position, thus if the pilot let go of the switch while raising the flaps, the switch would stay in the up position and continue to raise the flaps to zero. During a go around, the flaps should have initially been retracted to 20 degrees which would require the pilot to move the flap switch back to the neutral position after the flaps reached 20 degrees. After the airplane was established in a climb, the remaining flaps would be retracted by returning the flap switch to the up position. The switch was found to operate normally with no defects found. Based on the pilot’s description of the flap switch operation it is likely he did not know how the switch functioned. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N69PW](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N69PW-2024-08-26), registration cancelled 2024-08-26, S/N 17265317, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172M - 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: 17265317 - Year built: 1975 - Airframe hours: 5982 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91 - Registered owner: American Patrols Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, April 20, 2024 - Destination: Same as departure - Airport: 7T7, Skywest Airport, runway 24, 2,800 × 45 ft, asphalt - Equipment: ADS-B, Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 33; injuries: none; commercial, private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review October 3, 2023; seat: left; flight hours: 757 total, 565.8 in this make and model, 512.6 as pilot in command, 167.1 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 280° at 14 knots, gusting 21 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 23 °F - Altimeter: 29.72 inHg - Observed at: KMAF, 8 nm away - METAR: METAR KMAF 081753Z 28014G21KT 230V300 10SM CLR 31/M05 A2972 RMK AO2 PK WND 26027/1702 SLP012 T03061050 10306 20156 58006= ## 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 20240508005179A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20240508005179A), May 8, 2024: Cessna 172M, Midland, TX, Substantial damage. On may 8, 2024, at approximately 1320, a CE-172M aircraft, performed an off-airport landing in a field adjacent to skywest airport (7T7), south of Midland,… ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 22, 2024, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=194231. 10.2 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (pilot) (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 4.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17385285&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=CEN24LA178%20-%206120%20(pilot)_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (operator) (item 2, PDF, 11 pages, 4.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17385915&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=CEN24LA178%20-%206120%20(operator)_rcvd-Rel.pdf - Memorandum for record a�� telephone interview, pilot (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 103 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17296375&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=CEN24LA178%20-%20Johnson,%20Quentin%20-%20Phone%20Conversation-Rel.pdf - Memorandum of record - flap switch information (item 4, PDF, 3 pages, 683 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17386071&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=MOR%20-%20Flap%20Switch-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 5, PDF, 3 pages, 1.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17296284&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=CEN24LA178%20-%20Photo%20Summary-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.