# NTSB DFW07CA028: Cessna 172N, N81HT, Spring, TX, November 22, 2006 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: November 22, 2006, 15:45 local (21:45 UTC) - Place: Spring, TX - Coordinates: 30.061944, -95.55278 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.0619&lon=-95.5528&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 26, 2007 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 64922 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DFW07CA028 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/64922/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW07CA028 ## Probable cause Loss of directional control for undetermined reasons. ## 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 - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - soft ## Analysis The 185-hour private pilot lost directional control of the fixed wing airplane while landing on runway 17R (a dry 7,009-foot-long by 100-foot-wide asphalt runway). The pilot stated in the accident report form (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) that after he was cleared by air traffic control for a straight-in-approach, he executed a normal approach for landing. However, when the nose was lowered, the airplane "abruptly turned to right (immediately) and went off runway 17R, in spite of left rudder the airplane continued to go right." Several witnesses reported observing the airplane bounce once before it abruptly veered to the right of the runway. Another witness reported that the airplane made a normal landing, but suddenly veered to the right when the nose wheel contacted the ground. The airplane came to rest on "soft earth" on the right side of runway 17R. The pilot and the passenger egressed the cockpit normally through the cabin doors and were not injured. The pilot added that "he suspected that the nose wheel was stuck in the right position prior to the airplane touchdown." An FAA inspector examined the airplane at the site and reported the nose wheel and engine firewall were damaged; however, he could not determine if the damage was a result of the accident or from a preexisting deficiency. In addition, the inspector stated there were no mechanical deficiencies with the wheel brakes. Weather reported at the airport included wind from 240 degrees at 4 knots, clear skies, and 10 miles visibility. The reason for the loss of the directional control could not be determined. ## Factual narrative The 185-hour private pilot lost directional control of the fixed wing airplane while landing on runway 17R (a dry 7,009-foot-long by 100-foot-wide asphalt runway). The pilot stated in the accident report form (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) that after he was cleared by air traffic control for a straight-in-approach, he executed a normal approach for landing. However, when the nose wheel was lowered, the airplane "abruptly turned to right (immediately) and went off runway 17R, in spite of left rudder the airplane continued to go right." Several witnesses reported observing the airplane bounce once before it abruptly veered to the right of the runway. Another witness reported that the airplane made a normal landing, but suddenly veered to the right when the nose wheel contacted the ground. The airplane came to rest on "soft earth" on the right side of runway 17R. The pilot and the passenger egressed the cockpit normally through the cabin doors and were not injured. The pilot added that "he suspected that the nose wheel was stuck in the right position prior to the airplane touchdown." An FAA inspector examined the airplane at the site and reported the nose wheel and engine firewall were damaged; however, he could not determine if the damage was a result of the accident or from a preexisting deficiency. In addition, the inspector stated there were no mechanical deficiencies with the wheel brakes. Weather reported at the airport included wind from 240 degrees at 4 knots, clear skies, and 10 miles visibility. The reason for the loss of the directional control could not be determined. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N81HT](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N81HT-2007-06-26), registration cancelled 2007-06-26, S/N 17272423, 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: 17272423 - Airframe hours: 9373 - Engines: Lycoming O360 H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Hi-tech Aviation Inc. - Registered owner: M&D Aviation Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, October 1, 2006 - Departed: KLFK, Lufkin, TX - Destination: KDWH, Spring, TX - Airport: KDWH, David Wayne Hooks Memorial Air, runway 17R, 7,009 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 28; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review October 1, 2006; seat: left; flight hours: 185 total, 90 in this make and model, 124 as pilot in command, 91 in the last 90 days, 13 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 240° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °F - Observed at: KOHW ## 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 20061122030809A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20061122030809A), Nov 22, 2006: Cessna 172N, Houston, TX, Substantial damage. (-23) Aircraft N81HT landing runway 17R. On touch down, the aircraft swerved to right, and exited runway, going through a ditch with 10-12 inches of water in… 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.