# NTSB ERA11CA144: Cessna 172H, N2593L, Plattsburgh, NY, February 14, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: February 14, 2011, 12:15 local (17:15 UTC) - Place: Plattsburgh, NY - Coordinates: 44.651111, -73.468055 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.6511&lon=-73.4681&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: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 8, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 78366 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA11CA144 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/78366/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=78366 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA11CA144 ## Probable cause The student pilot's loss of directional control during the landing flare in gusting wind conditions and the certified flight instructor's delayed remedial action. ## 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 172H, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2072424), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Action: delayed action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172H, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md?model=2072424), [All aircraft, 894 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Response/compensation; cases with it: [Cessna 172H, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=2072424), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/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: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240); cases with it: [Cessna 172H, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=2072424), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Cessna 172H, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=2072424), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172H, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=2072424), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) ## Analysis The certified flight instructor (CFI) and student pilot reported that they were practicing touch-and-go takeoffs and landings. During the second approach, the airplane's airspeed and altitude decreased more than they intended. The left wing contacted the runway resulting in substantial damage. The CFI took authority over the flight controls and landed the airplane. While taxiing to the ramp, they observed that the wind had increased more than reported. The recorded wind conditions at the airport, prior to and after the accident, were variable from 7 to 10 knots, with gusts to 17 knots. The CFI reported that there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions of the airplane. ## Factual narrative The flight instructor and student reported that they were practicing touch-and-go takeoffs and landings, and during the second approach, the airplane's airspeed and altitude decreased further than intended. Subsequently, the left wing contacted the runway resulting in substantial damage to the left wing tip. The flight instructor took control and landed the airplane. While taxiing to the ramp, they observed that the winds had increased more than reported. The winds recorded at the airport, prior to and after the accident, were variable from the west and south at 7 to 10 knots, and gusting up to 17 knots. The flight instructor reported that there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions of the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2593L](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2593L), registered now, S/N 17255793, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172H - Registry model: [Cessna 172H](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172h) (registry code 2072424) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17255793 - Engines: CONT MOTOR O-300D 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Vermont Flight Academy, Inc - Registered owner: Just Plane Nuts Flying Club LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, January 9, 2011 - Departed: KBTV, Burlington, VT - Destination: KBTV, Burlington, VT - Airport: KPBG, Plattsburgh International, runway 17, 11,758 × 200 ft, concrete ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 35; injuries: none; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 12, 2010; seat: right; flight hours: 3,380 total, 604 in this make and model, 1,994 as pilot in command, 44 in the last 90 days, 14 in the last 30 days - Student pilot; age 27; injuries: none; student; seat: left; flight hours: 14 total, 14 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 260° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 3,900 ft broken - Temperature: 45 °F, dew point 32 °F - Altimeter: 29.23 inHg - Observed at: PBG ## 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 20110214002529A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110214002529A), Feb 14, 2011: Cessna 172H, Plattsburgh, NY, Substantial damage. Flight instructor and student departed btv with the intention of practicing takeoff's and landings at pbg. Upon approaching pbg and listening to the ASOS, the… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 3, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=78366. 279 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 - Flight Instructor (item 1, .PDF, 120 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40344462&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1%20-%20Flight%20Instructor-Redacted.PDF - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 - Student (item 2, .PDF, 120 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40344463&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1%20-%20Student-Redacted.PDF - Plattsburg Surface Observation (item 3, .PDF, 40 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40344464&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Plattsburg%20Surface%20Observation-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.