# NTSB CHI93LA138: Cessna 172N, N6346E, Towanda, KS, April 10, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 10, 1993, 16:05 local (22:05 UTC)
- Place: Towanda, KS
- Coordinates: 37.790725, -96.989494 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.7907&lon=-96.9895&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 15, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15698
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI93LA138
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15698/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI93LA138

## Probable cause

THE PILOT FAILED TO ADEQUATELY COMPENSATE FOR A GUSTY CROSSWIND CONDITION.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - landing gear - overload

## Analysis

DURING LANDING ROLL AT THE PILOT'S PRIVATE AIRSTRIP A GUST OF WIND CAUGHT THE AIRCRAFT RESULTING IN A LOSS OF CONTROL. THE LANDING GEAR COLLAPSED AND THE RIGHT WING TIP DUG INTO THE GROUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6346E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6346E-1993-09-27), registration cancelled 1993-09-27, S/N 46446 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172N
- Registry model: [Cessna 172](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172) (registry code 2072402) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 46446
- Airframe hours: 2521
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300-A 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Pierce, Steven P.
- Registered owner: Pierce, Steven P.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 10, 1992, 21 hours before
- Destination: 71K, WICHITA, KS
- Airport: Private, runway 36, 2,100 × 50 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 252 total, 252 in this make and model, 225 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 320° at 10 knots, gusting 25
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 63 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19930410009539A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930410009539A), Apr 10, 1993: Cessna 172N, Towanda, KS, Substantial damage. Gust lifted wing on landing. Lost control. Came down on right main which broke. Wing hit. Nose gear collapsed.

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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