# NTSB ERA11CA061: Cessna 172N, N249ER, Gaithersburg, MD, November 14, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: November 14, 2010, 15:30 local (20:30 UTC) - Place: Gaithersburg, MD - Coordinates: 39.167778, -77.159446 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.1678&lon=-77.1594&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 26, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 77816 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA11CA061 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/77816/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=77816 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA11CA061 ## Probable cause The student pilot's inadequate use of the rudder, and subsequent loss of directional control. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [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) - [Flight control system: rudder control system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022720): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Not used/operated (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022720/cases.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 93 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022720/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); 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) - [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230); cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 81 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 81 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094); cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the student pilot, he completed a stabilized approach to the runway, with the airspeed 5 knots higher than the prescribed approach speed due to the 8 knot headwind condition. During the landing flare, the airplane encountered a gust of wind, and bounced on the runway. He said he added power to slow the descent, but the airplane ballooned again with some drift to the left. He decided to execute a go around, and as he applied full power without adding rudder, the airplane veered to the left and departed the left side of the runway. He then reduced the power in an attempt to regain directional control of the airplane, but it continued forward until the nose gear collapsed and the airplane came to rest in a grassy area to the left of the runway. During the accident sequence, the airplane incurred substantial damage to the firewall and left wing. The student pilot reported there were no mechanical anomalies with the airplane. The wind reported at the airport about the time of the accident was from 150 degrees at 8 knots. ## Factual narrative According to the student pilot, he completed a "stabilized" approach to runway 14, with the airspeed 5 knots higher than the prescribed approach speed due to the wind conditions. During the landing flare, the pilot "felt wind shear that caused the touchdown,and the airplane ballooned back into the air to about 20 feet." The student pilot then added power to slow the descent, and the airplane "ballooned again with some drift to the left." The student pilot then decided to go around, and as he "applied full power without adding rudder," the airplane veered to the left and departed the left side of the runway. The student pilot then reduced power in an attempt to regain directional control of the airplane, but it continued forward until the nose landing gear collapsed and it came to rest in a grassy area to the left of the runway. During the accident sequence, the airplane incurred substantial damage to the firewall and left wing. The student pilot reported that there were no mechanical anomalies with the airplane. The winds reported at the airport about the time of the accident were from 150 degrees at 8 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N249ER](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N249ER-2014-11-26), registration cancelled 2014-11-26, S/N 17269782, built 1977 (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: 17269782 - Airframe hours: 13026 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320 SERIES 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: WIFA (Washington International Flight Academy) - Registered owner: WIFA (Washington International Flight Academy) - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 19, 2009 - Departed: FDK, Frederick, MD - Destination: GAI, Gaithersburg, MD - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: GAI, Montgomery County Airpark, runway 14, 4,200 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Student pilot; age 51; injuries: none; student; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 105 total, 32 in this make and model, 23 as pilot in command, 32 in the last 90 days, 32 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 150° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 34 °F - Altimeter: 30.02 inHg - Observed at: GAI ## 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 20101114050759A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20101114050759A), Nov 14, 2010: Cessna 172N, Gaithersburg, MD, Substantial damage. Student pilot was returning from a cross country solo flight from lancaster pa. (Lns). Aircraft touch down on rwy 14 at Gaithersburg, MD (gai) and boundced… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 27, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=77816. 879 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 604 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40339828&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Weather Reports: GAI METARs (item 2, .PDF, 9 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40339829&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports%3A%20GAI%20METARs-Master.PDF - Photo #1: Damage to Airplane (Courtesy of FAA) (item 3, .PDF, 266 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40340110&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%20%231%3A%20Damage%20to%20Airplane%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.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.