# NTSB DFW05CA091: Cessna 172N, N6372D, Rio Grande City, TX, March 18, 2005 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: March 18, 2005, 08:45 local (14:45 UTC) - Place: Rio Grande City, TX - Coordinates: 26.407499, -98.845832 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.4075&lon=-98.8458&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 8, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 61177 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DFW05CA091 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/61177/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW05CA091 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from objects, and his improper compensation for wind conditions while landing. A contributing factor was the gusty wind condition. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, landing - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - object - fence post - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis The 1,561-hour pilot reported that while on a visual approach for landing, the airplane encountered a gust of wind, and the airplane started to "sink." Subsequently, the right main landing gear struck the top of a fence post at the approach end of the dirt runway. The pilot stated that after the collision, he noticed that the right main landing gear was separated. As the pilot landed the airplane, it veered to the right off the runway and the right wing and right horizontal stabilizer struck the ground. ## Factual narrative On March 18, approximately 0845 central standard time, a Cessna 172N single-engine airplane, N6372D, was substantially damaged following an in-flight collision with an object while landing at a private airstrip near Rio Grande City, Texas. The private pilot and passenger were not injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The local flight originated from the private airstrip at 0815. During a telephone interview conducted by a representative of the NTSB, the 1,561-hour pilot reported that while on a visual approach for landing, the airplane encountered a gust of wind, and the airplane started to "sink." Subsequently, the right main landing gear struck the top of a fence post at the approach end of the 2,000-foot long dirt runway. The pilot stated that after the collision, he noticed that the right main landing gear was separated. As the pilot landed the airplane, it veered to the right off the runway and the right wing and right horizontal stabilizer struck the ground. The airplane came to rest upright adjacent to the runway in a right wing low attitude. Examination of the airplane by the pilot revealed the outboard tip of the right wing and right horizontal stabilizer were bent. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6372D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6372D), registered now, S/N 17272758, built 1979 (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: 17272758 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Edward Alvord - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: Rio Grande City, TX - Airport: NONE, Private Airstrip, runway 220, 2,000 × 60 ft, dirt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 78; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,561 total, 250 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 150° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 1,400 ft overcast - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 66 °F - Altimeter: 29.90 inHg - Observed at: MFE, 200 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 20050318004819A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050318004819A), Mar 18, 2005: Cessna 172N, Rio Grande City, TX, Substantial damage. (-23) On March 18, 2005, aircraft N6372D, a Cessna 172, was involved in an accident approximately 14 to 15 miles north of Rio Grande City. The aircraft… 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.