# NTSB CHI91LA112: Cessna 172, N96868, Wichita, KS, March 23, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 23, 1991, 11:30 local (17:30 UTC)
- Place: Wichita, KS
- Coordinates: 37.650604, -97.429428 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.6506&lon=-97.4294&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 4, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15026
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI91LA112
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15026/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI91LA112

## Probable cause

DIRECTIONAL CONTROL WAS NOT MAINTAINED BY THE DUAL STUDENT AND REMEDIAL ACTION WAS DELAYED BY THE CFI.  FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE A GUSTY CROSSWIND AND A DRAINAGE DITCH.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, dual student (cause)
  - remedial action - delayed, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - aborted
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE CFI SAID THAT WHILE CONDUCTING A BIENNIAL FLIGHT REVIEW, DIRECTIONAL CONTROL WAS LOST DURING A TAKEOFF IN A STRONG, GUSTING CROSSWIND.  THE CFI TOOK OVER THE CONTROLS AND TRIED TO CONTINUE THE TAKEOFF, THEN ABORTED THE TAKEOFF.  THE AIRPLANE WAS UNABLE TO STOP AND COLLIDED WITH A DRAINAGE DITCH.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N96868](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N96868-2013-06-05), registration cancelled 2013-06-05, S/N 17276125, built 1984 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- Registry model: [Cessna 172P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172p) (registry code 2072436) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17276125
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Cessna Employees Flying Club
- Airport: 3KM, Jabara, runway 36, 5,000 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 24; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 444 total, 93 in this make and model, 408 as pilot in command, 39 in the last 90 days, 13 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 310° at 24 knots, gusting 30
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Observed at: ICT, 10 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 19910323007239A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910323007239A), Mar 23, 1991: Cessna 172P, Wichita, KS, Substantial damage. CFI allowed student to attempt a takeoff in crosswind. Blown off runway into ditch.

## Other investigations on N96868 (1)

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.

- [NTSB FTW99FA153](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW99FA153), May 29, 1999: Cessna 172P (N96868), Mesquite, TX, destroyed, 2 fatal. Probable cause: The failure by both pilots to maintain visual lookout. A factor was the inadequate radio communications maintained by both pilots while in the traffic pattern.

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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