# NTSB CHI95LA055: Cessna 172, N7656X, Allegan, MI, December 21, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: December 21, 1994, 16:00 local (21:00 UTC) - Place: Allegan, MI - Coordinates: 42.520011, -85.840248 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.5200&lon=-85.8402&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 23, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 9810 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI95LA055 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9810/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI95LA055 ## Probable cause the student pilot's failure to maintain directional control which resulted in the inability to obtain proper runway alignment. Related factors are the student pilot's lack of total flight experience and the snowbank. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, landing - flare/touchdown - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor) - proper alignment - not obtained, pilot in command - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - snowbank (contributing factor) - Nose over, landing - roll ## Analysis THE CFI REPORTED THE FLIGHT STARTED AS A DUAL INSTRUCTIONAL FLIGHT, DURING WHICH THE STUDENT PILOT PRACTICED TOUCH AND GO LANDINGS. THE CFI STATED THE STUDENT PILOT'S PERFORMANCE WAS SATISFACTORY, SO HE AUTHORIZED AN INITIAL SUPERVISED SOLO FLIGHT. THE INSTRUCTOR OBSERVED THE STUDENT PILOT'S LANDINGS FROM THE RAMP. HE STATED THE FIRST TWO LANDINGS WERE NORMAL AND SMOOTH. THE STUDENT REPORTED THAT DURING THE THIRD LANDING FLARE THE AIRPLANE BEGAN TO DRIFT TO THE LEFT, AND HE DID NOT APPLY SUFFICIENT CONTROL INPUT TO STOP THE DRIFT. THE AIRPLANE TOUCHED DOWN WITH THE LEFT MAIN OFF THE RUNWAY, STRUCK A SNOWBANK AND NOSED OVER. THE STUDENT PILOT HAD ABOUT 18 HOURS TOTAL FLIGHT TIME. ## Factual narrative On December 21, 1994, about 1600 eastern standard time, a Cessna 172, N7656X, operated by a student pilot on a solo instructional flight, veered off the left side of the runway and collided with a snowbank after landing at Allegan, Michigan. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The student pilot, the sole occupant, reported no injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local flight, no flight plan was filed. The flight operated under 14 CFR Part 91, and originated from Allegan, Michigan, approximately 1555. The flight began as a dual instructional flight for the purpose of practicing takeoffs and landings. The student pilot and the Certificated Fight Instructor (CFI) departed their home base airport in Plainwell, Michigan, and flew to Allegan to perform touch and go landings. The CFI stated there was a light (6 to 8 knots) crosswind for Runway 10 at Allegan. He reported the student pilot performed satisfactory touch and go landings for about one hour before the CFI authorized his first supervised solo flight. The student pilot was instructed to perform three takeoffs and landings to a full stop, then taxi back to the ramp area where the CFI waited. The CFI stated the student pilot's first two landings appeared normal and smooth. The student pilot reported during the third landing flare the airplane began to drift to the left. He stated he did not apply sufficient control input to stop the drift and the airplane touched down with the left landing gear off the left side of the runway. The airplane struck a snowbank on the left side of the runway and nosed over. The student pilot had approximately 18 hours total flight time. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7656X](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7656X), registered now, S/N 17248156, built 1960 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172 - Registry model: [Cessna 172B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172b) (registry code 2072406) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17248156 - Airframe hours: 2900 - Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Plainwell Aviation - Registered owner: Spangler, Aaron L. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Airport: 35D, Padgham Field, runway 10, 3,500 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 28; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 18 total, 18 in this make and model, 1 as pilot in command, 18 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 120° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 3,500 ft broken - Temperature: 39 °F ## 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 19941221044139A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19941221044139A), Dec 21, 1994: Cessna 172B, Allegan, MI, Substantial damage. First solo. Drifted off runway. Student failed to correct and collided with a snow drift. 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.