# NTSB CHI97LA303: Cessna 172P, N52419, Yankton, SD, September 28, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 28, 1997, 17:00 local (22:00 UTC) - Place: Yankton, SD - Coordinates: 42.880432, -97.390426 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.8804&lon=-97.3904&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 2, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 10710 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI97LA303 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10710/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI97LA303 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain control of the aircraft. A factor contributing to the accident was the wind gusts. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - flare/touchdown - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, landing ## Analysis In a written statement, the pilot reported that the winds were reported between 280 and 290 at 18 knots with gusts to 20. While on final for runway 31, the airplane was configured with no flaps extended, at an airspeed of 75 knots. The airplane touched down on the upwind wheel first, then 'gently lifted off the runway.' Soon after, the airplane banked to the left to a heading approximately 20 to 30 degrees left of the runway centerline. The pilot reports that he corrected to the right, but by this time the airplane was over the grass between the runway and the taxiway. Shortly thereafter, the airplane collided with the terrain. It rocked over onto the nose before settling back onto the main gear. In a verbal statement, the pilot said that he may have been 'relieved' to be on the ground following the initial touchdown, causing him to relax his crosswind correction. ## Factual narrative On September 28, 1997, at 1700 central daylight time, a Cessna 172P, N52419, operated by a private pilot, was substantially damaged when the airplane impacted the terrain during landing at Yankton Airport, Yankton, South Dakota. The private pilot and one passenger reported no injuries. The personal flight was being conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident and no flight plan was on file. The flight departed Yankton Airport at 1600 cdt for a local flight. In a written statement, the pilot reported that the winds were reported between 280 and 290 at 18 knots with gusts to 20. While on final for runway 31, the airplane was configured with no flaps extended, at an airspeed of 75 knots. The airplane touched down on the upwind wheel first, then "gently lifted off the runway." Soon after, the airplane banked to the left to a heading approximately 20 to 30 degrees left of the runway centerline. The pilot reports that he corrected to the right, but by this time the airplane was over the grass between the runway and the taxiway. Shortly thereafter, the airplane collided with the terrain. It rocked over onto the nose before settling back onto the main gear. In a verbal statement, the pilot said that he may have been "relieved" to be on the ground following the initial touchdown, causing him to relax his crosswind correction. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N52419](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N52419-2007-12-06), registration cancelled 2007-12-06, S/N 17274512, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172P - Registry model: [Cessna 172P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172p) (registry code 2072436) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17274512 - Airframe hours: 6090 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-D25 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Falcon Aviation, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 21, 1997, 81 hours before - Departed: YKN - Destination: YKN - Airport: YKN, Yankton/Chan Gurney Muni, runway 31, 6,100 × 100 ft, concrete ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 54; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 103 total, 103 in this make and model, 35 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 290° at 22 knots, gusting 27 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 36 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: YKN ## 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 19970928029209A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970928029209A), Sep 28, 1997: Cessna 172P, Yankton, SD, Substantial damage. Crash landed at ykn. No details. (.4)in a written statement, the pilot reported that the winds were reported between 280 and 290 at 18 knots with gusts to 20.… ## Other investigations on N52419 (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 DEN84LA033](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN84LA033), Nov 17, 1983: Cessna 172 (N52419), Yankton, SD, no damage 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.