# NTSB CHI97LA141: Cessna 172N, N738LM, Madison, WI, May 16, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 16, 1997, 12:55 local (17:55 UTC) - Place: Madison, WI - Location: 43.1399° N, 89.3375° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at DANE COUNTY RGNL/TRUAX FLD (MSN), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.1399&lon=-89.3375&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 9, 1999 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 10573 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI97LA141 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10573/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=10573 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI97LA141 ## Probable cause the pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions which resulted in a loss of directional control of the airplane. Factors associated with the accident were the gusty, crosswind conditions and the VASI lights. ## 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 - gusts (contributing factor) - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll - object - vasi light/system (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot was landing on runway 18 when the accident occurred. He reported that when he checked the ATIS prior to landing the winds were being reported as 200 degrees at 14 knots. The airplane bounced during the landing and the pilot added power to recover. The airplane was blown to the left of the runway where it touched down again. The airplane continued to travel to the left. It went off the side of the runway and traveled through the grass eventually contacting the VASI lights. A local observation taken 20 minutes after the accident reported winds from 200 degrees at 13 knots, gusting to 18 knots. ## Factual narrative On May 16, 1997, at 1255 central daylight time, a Cessna 172N, N738LM, flown by a private pilot collided with VASI lights after traveling off the runway while landing at the Dane County Regional Airport, Madison, Wisconsin. The landing was being made on runway 18 (9,005' x 150'). The 14 CFR Part 91 flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan. The pilot was not injured and the airplane was substantially damaged. The local flight originated from the Mineral Point, Wisconsin, at 1230 cdt. The pilot reported that when he checked the ATIS 25 to 30 miles away from the Dane County Regional Airport, the winds were reported as 200 degrees at 14 knots. He stated that during the landing on runway 18 the airplane bounced approximately 5 feet in the air. The pilot reported he added power to prevent the airplane from porpoising and it drifted to the left side of the runway where it touched down again. He reported he attempted to straighten out the heading, but the left main gear went off the runway into the grass, pulling the airplane further to the left. The airplane continued traveling on the grass where it contacted the runway VASI lights. A Dane County Airport weather observation taken at 1315, reported winds as 200 degrees at 13 knots, gusting to 18 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N738LM](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N738LM), registered now, S/N 17270062, built 1977 (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: 17270062 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-D2J 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Univ. Of Wisconsin Flying Club - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: C32, MINERAL POINT, WI - Destination: MSN - Airport: MSN, Dane County Regional, runway 18, 9,005 × 150 ft, concrete ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 48; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 378 total, 200 in this make and model, 325 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 200° at 13 knots, gusting 18 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 6,500 ft broken - Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 34 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: MSN ## 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 19970516015659A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970516015659A), May 16, 1997: Cessna 172N, Madison, WI, Substantial damage. (.4)The pilot was landing on runway 18 when the accident occurred. He reported that when he checked the ATIS prior to landing the winds were being reported as… ## Other investigations on N738LM (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 CHI96LA030](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI96LA030), Nov 12, 1995: Cessna 172N (N738LM), Niles, MI, substantial damage. Probable cause: fuel exhaustion as a result of the pilot's improper fuel consumption calculations. Factors related to the accident were: the pilot's lack of familiarity with the aircraft and operating with a known… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 18, 1997, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=10573. 369 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 369 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40423430&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF 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.