# NTSB DEN07CA056: Cessna 172R, N2621Z, Olathe, KS, January 26, 2007

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: January 26, 2007, 10:58 local (16:58 UTC)
- Place: Olathe, KS
- Coordinates: 38.831665, -94.889999
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.8317&lon=-94.8900&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 26, 2007
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: FAA Flight Standards District Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 65235
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN07CA056
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/65235/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN07CA056

## Probable cause

The pilot's improper flare during landing and failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll. Factors were the gusting winds and the crosswinds.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - flare - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

The pilot stated that during a hard landing, the airplane bounced and departed the runway to the east.  The airplane impacted terrain resulting in substantial damage. An examination of the airplane systems revealed no anomalies. The winds at the time of the accident were from 210 degrees at 11 knots with gusts to 18 knots. The maximum demonstrated crosswind component for the accident airplane is listed as 15 knots. The calculated crosswind component for this landing, with an 18 knot gust, was 17 knots.

## Factual narrative

According to the pilot, he made a hard landing to runway 18 (4,098 feet by 75 feet, concrete) and bounced the airplane. The airplane veered off the runway to the east and impacted terrain. The airplane came to rest on the left wing, the left main landing gear, and the nose of the airplane. Examination of the airplane revealed that the left main spar was broken. Examination of the remaining systems, conducted by the FAA, revealed no anomalies.

The winds at the time of the accident were reported by Johnson County Executive Airport to be from 210 degrees at 11 knots, with gusts to 18 knots. The maximum demonstrated crosswind component for a Cessna 172R is listed as 15 knots. The calculated crosswind component for this landing, with an 18 knot gust, was 17 knots.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2621Z](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2621Z), registered now, S/N 17280559, built 1998 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Cessna 172R
- Registry model: [Cessna 172R](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172r) (registry code 2072401) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17280559
- Airframe hours: 4197
- Engines: Lycoming IO-360-L2A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 1, 2006
- Departed: KOJC, Olathe, KS
- Destination: KOJC, Olathe, KS
- Airport: KOJC, Johnson County Executive Airpo, runway 18, 4,098 × 75 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 75; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review March 1, 2005; seat: left; flight hours: 398 total, 12 in this make and model, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 11 knots, gusting 18
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 30 °F
- Altimeter: 29.95 inHg
- Observed at: kojc

## 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 20070126000869A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070126000869A), Jan 26, 2007: Cessna 172R, Olathe, KS, Substantial damage. (-23) The pilot [privacy data omitted] was attempting his first landing of the day in a gusty crosswind of about 12 knots crosswind component. He allowed the…

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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