# NTSB CHI96LA136: Cessna 172N, N739BN, Middleton, WI, April 21, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 21, 1996, 13:45 local (18:45 UTC) - Place: Middleton, WI - Coordinates: 43.100475, -89.499954 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.1005&lon=-89.5000&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 3, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 10231 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI96LA136 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10231/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI96LA136 ## Probable cause failure of the pilot to maintain directional control of the airplane during the landing, which resulted in an inadvertent ground swerve. Factors relating to the accident were: the gusty crosswind condition, the pilot's excessive lowering of flaps, and the encounter with soft terrain. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) - lowering of flaps - excessive, pilot in command (contributing factor) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor) - Nose over, landing ## Analysis On final approach to runway 12, the pilot selected 30 degrees of flaps and maintained 65 knots indicated airspeed. The pilot used right aileron and opposite rudder on final. He said the airplane required constant adjustments to the flight controls to hold the extended centerline. He stated that his touchdown was a bit hard and left of centerline. The airplane exited the left side of the runway and nosed over after encountering soft mud. The pilot said that on the landing roll, he did not maintain directional control as aggressively as he did on final approach, and that he should have used less than 30 degrees of flaps. A weather station reported winds from 170 degrees at 13 knots with gusts to 18 knots. ## Factual narrative On April 21, 1996, at 1345 central daylight time, a Cessna 172N, N739BN, registered to the Capitol City Flyers, Inc., of Marshall, Wisconsin, and operated by a private pilot, ran off runway 12 (2971' x 38' dry/asphalt) after experiencing a crosswind on touchdown at Morey Airport, Middleton, Wisconsin. The airplane sustained substantial damage when it nosed over. The pilot and two passengers reported no injuries. The personal 14 CFR Part 91 flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions. No flight plan was on file. The flight departed Madison, Wisconsin, at 1335 cdt. According to the pilot's written statement, he entered the traffic pattern at Morey Airport for the purpose of picking up his fourth passenger. On final approach to runway 12, the pilot selected 30 degrees of flaps with an indicated airspeed of 65 knots. The pilot used right aileron and opposite rudder to hold the extended centerline. He said the airplane required constant adjusting of the flight controls to maintain extended centerline. The pilot stated, "Touchdown was a bit hard and slightly left of the center. On the roll out the left main tire came off the runway. I attempted to gently steer back to the runway. I was concerned about over correcting the aircraft into a ground roll." The airplane exited the runway to the left and sank in the soft mud shoulder on the side of the runway. The airplane nosed over and came to rest on its back. The pilot listed his lessons learned; "1. For a crosswind landing, flaps should have been set at less than 30 degrees. 2. Although I aim all landings for the centerline mark, I did not adequately consider my reduced safety margin at Rwy 12 Morey(38' wide). 3. Maintain the directional control as aggressively on the roll out as on final approach". The Madison Automatic Weather Observation Station (AWOS) located 8 miles to the east of the Airport, reported winds from 170 degrees at 13 knots with gusts to 18 knots, 11 minutes after the accident. The Cessna 172N Pilot Operating Handbook states for a crosswind landing the following, "...When landing in a strong crosswind, use the minimum flap setting required for the field length... . After touchdown, hold a straight course with the steerable nose wheel and occasional braking if necessary. The maximum allowable crosswind velocity is dependent upon pilot capability as well as aircraft limitations. With average pilot technique, direct crosswind of 15 knots can be handled with safety". ## Aircraft - Registration: [N739BN](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N739BN), registered now, S/N 17270414, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172N - Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17270414 - Airframe hours: 2198 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-A4M 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Capitol City Flyers, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility - Last inspection: Annual, July 13, 1995, 51 hours before - Departed: MSN, MADISON, WI - Destination: C29 - Airport: C29, Morey Airport, runway 12, 2,971 × 38 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 40; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 89 total, 6 in this make and model, 45 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 170° at 13 knots, gusting 18 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 39 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: MSN, 8 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 19960421007969A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960421007969A), Apr 21, 1996: Cessna 172N, Madison, WI, Substantial damage. Landing on runway in crosswind, aircraft ran off the side of the runway onto a soft shoulder and flipped over. (-23) on April 21, 1996 at 13:45 cdst a Cessna… 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.