# NTSB CHI95LA103: Cessna 172H, N8078L, Atkinson, NE, March 16, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 16, 1995, 13:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Atkinson, NE
- Coordinates: 42.529079, -98.969215 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.5291&lon=-98.9692&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 26, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 9852
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI95LA103
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9852/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI95LA103

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO ADEQUATELY COMPENSATE FOR THE GUSTY CROSSWIND. THE WIND WAS A FACTOR.

## Sequence of events

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

- Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT WHILE LANDING ON RWY 29, ABOUT 10 FT ABOVE THE RUNWAY AND OVER THE THRESHOLD, A GUST OF WIND PULLED UP THE LEFT WING PUTTING THE RIGHT WING ON THE GROUND.

## Factual narrative

On March 16, 1995, at 1300 central standard time, a Cessna 172H, N8078L, registered to Fred L. Crow, Jr., of Bellevue, Nebraska, and piloted by a private pilot, received substantial damage during a landing on runway 29 (4,040' x 50' dry/asphalt) at Atkinson, Nebraska.  The pilot and three passengers reported no injuries.  The personal 14 CFR Part 91 flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions.  A VFR flight plan was on file.  The flight originated from O'Neill, Nebraska, at 1245.

The pilot stated that the wind was 050 degrees at 15 knots, with gusts to 19 knots.  He stated that during the landing a gust of wind under the left wing forced the right wing to the ground.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8078L](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8078L), registered now, S/N 17256278, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172H
- Registry model: [Cessna 172H](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172h) (registry code 2072424) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17256278
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300-D 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Crow, Fred L. Jr.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 31, 1995
- Departed: ONL, O'NEILL, NE
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: 8V2, Stuart-Atkinson Muni, runway 29, 4,040 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 134 total, 72 in this make and model, 102 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 50° at 15 knots, gusting 19
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 23 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 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 19950316004109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950316004109A), Mar 16, 1995: Cessna 172H, Atkinson, NE, Substantial damage. Dragged a wing during a gusty crosswind landing.

## Other investigations on N8078L (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 CEN25LA360](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN25LA360), Aug 28, 2025: Cessna 172H (N8078L), Goliad, TX, substantial damage, investigation ongoing

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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