# NTSB ERA12CA211: Cessna 172M, N5286H, Mayaquez, PR, February 19, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: February 19, 2012, 14:20 local (18:20 UTC) - Place: Mayaquez, PR - Coordinates: 18.221748, -66.589309 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=18.2217&lon=-66.5893&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: 4 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 9, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 83050 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA12CA211 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/83050/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=83050 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12CA211 ## Probable cause The pilot did not maintain control of the airplane while landing in crosswind conditions. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Not specified; cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 19 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 123 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072418), [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 172M, 59 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2072418), [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: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240); cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 47 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 51 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 33 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that the wind was calm during his approach to runway 9; however, just before landing, the airplane experienced a strong crosswind. The pilot subsequently applied full engine power and attempted to abort the landing, but the airplane touched down, veered off the runway, and nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and the airframe near the windshield. The pilot reported that the airplane did not experience any preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures. The reported wind at the airport, about 30 minutes prior to the accident was from 320 degrees at 13 knots. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that the winds were calm during his approach to runway 9; however, just prior to landing, the airplane experienced a strong crosswind. He subsequently applied full engine power, and attempted to abort the landing; however, the airplane touched down, veered off the runway, and nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and the airframe around windshield. The pilot reported that he did not experience any preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures. Winds reported at the airport, about 30 minutes prior to the accident, were from 320 degrees at 13 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5286H](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5286H), registered now, S/N 17265396, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172M - Registry model: [Cessna 172M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172m) (registry code 2072418) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17265396 - Airframe hours: 7969 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320 SERIES 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 18, 2011, 35 hours before - Departed: TJAB, Arecibo, PR - Destination: TJMZ, Mayaquez, PR - Airport: TJMZ, Eugenio Maria de Hostos, runway 09, 4,998 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 58; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 17, 2011; seat: left; flight hours: 899 total, 827 in this make and model, 850 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 320° at 13 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 3,000 ft broken - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 64 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: TJMZ ## 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 20120219002329A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120219002329A), Feb 19, 2012: Cessna 172M, Mayaguez, PR, Substantial damage. On February 19, 2012, at approximately 14:35, [privacy data omitted] private pilot certificate no.[privacy data omitted], Was landing at Mayaguez airport… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 3, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=83050. 774 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 495 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40365480&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - TJMZ Airport Weather Observations (item 2, .PDF, 279 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40365687&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=TJMZ%20Airport%20Weather%20Observations-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.