# NTSB ERA10CA167: Cessna 172, N737HV, Poughkeepsie, NY, March 5, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: March 5, 2010, 15:25 local (20:25 UTC) - Place: Poughkeepsie, NY - Coordinates: 41.626388, -73.884162 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.6264&lon=-73.8842&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 22, 2010 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 75457 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA10CA167 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/75457/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75457 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA10CA167 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing flare. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 150 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 82 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 26 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot stated that he was making an approach to land on runway 6. During the landing flare, a "gust of wind hit the plane" from the right and "lifted the nose" of the airplane. The airplane's left wing contacted the ground adjacent to the runway, followed by the main landing gear. The airplane came to rest in a snow-covered, grassy area adjacent to the runway. The left wing sustained substantial damage. The pilot stated that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane. The reported wind at the accident airport, about the time of the accident, was from 360 degrees at 9 knots. ## Factual narrative The pilot stated that he was making an approach to land on runway 6. During the landing flare, a "gust of wind hit the plane" from the right and "lifted the nose" of the airplane. The airplane's left wing contacted the ground adjacent to the runway, followed by the main landing gear. The airplane came to rest in a snow-covered, grassy area adjacent to the runway. The left wing sustained substantial damage. The pilot stated that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane. The reported wind at the accident airport, about the time of the accident, was from 360 degrees at 9 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N737HV](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N737HV), registered now, S/N 17269438, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172 (N) - 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: 17269438 - Airframe hours: 3088 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Macarthur Air Incorporated - Registered owner: Macarthur Air Incorporated - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 16, 2009 - Departed: ISP, Islip, NY - Destination: POU, Poughkeepsie, NY - Airport: POU, Dutchess County Airport, runway 06, 5,001 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 85; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review November 21, 2009; seat: left; flight hours: 480 total, 450 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 360° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 43 °F, dew point 18 °F - Altimeter: 29.98 inHg - Observed at: POU ## 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 20100305028709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100305028709A), Mar 5, 2010: Cessna 172N, Wappinger Falls, NY, Substantial damage. On 3/5/10, N737HV, flown by [privacy data omitted], landed approximately 20' left of the runway, in snow/sod, while attempting to land on runway 06 at pou.… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 4, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75457. 572 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 525 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40327928&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Weather Reports and Records (item 2, .PDF, 19 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40327930&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports%20and%20Records-Master.PDF - Memorandum for Record - FAA (item 3, .PDF, 28 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40328034&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20-%20FAA-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.