# NTSB ERA13CA210: Cessna 172N, N739CK, Stow, MA, April 20, 2013 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: April 20, 2013, 13:05 local (17:05 UTC) - Place: Stow, MA - Coordinates: 42.460556, -71.517776 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.4606&lon=-71.5178&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 23, 2013 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 86692 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA13CA210 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/86692/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=86692 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA13CA210 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control while landing in gusty wind conditions. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Not specified; cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 28 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/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) - [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) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 45 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 134 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the pilot, the airplane was on approach to runway 30, and, about 75 feet above the ground, the airplane encountered a loss of lift due to “wind shear.” The pilot added power to attempt a go-around, but the airplane touched down on the runway and bounced. A gust of wind then pushed the airplane to the left of the runway. The pilot reduced the power, and he attempted to turn back to the runway; however, the airplane impacted trees off the side of the runway. A postaccident examination of the wreckage revealed substantial damage to the right and left wings. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. The reported wind at an airport located about 10 miles east of the accident site was 280 degrees at 12 knots, gusting to 15 knots. ## Factual narrative According to the pilot, the airplane was on approach to runway 30, and about 75 feet above the ground, when it encountered a loss of lift due to “wind shear.” He added engine power to attempt a go-around, but the airplane touched down on the runway and bounced. A gust of wind then pushed the airplane to the left of the runway. The pilot responded by reducing engine power and attempted to turn back to the runway; however, the airplane impacted trees off the side of the runway. A postaccident examination of the wreckage revealed substantial damage to the right and left wings. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. Winds reported at airport located about 10 miles east of the accident site were from 280 degrees at 12 knots, gusting to 15 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N739CK](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N739CK-2018-02-23), registration cancelled 2018-02-23, S/N 17270435, built 1978 (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: 17270435 - Airframe hours: 5834 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320 SERIES 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Noble Airventure - Registered owner: Noble Airventure - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, April 3, 2013, 30 hours before - Departed: 6B6, Stow, MA - Destination: 6B6, Stow, MA - Airport: 6B6, Minute Man Airfield, runway 30, 1,600 × 70 ft, dirt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 25; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review June 11, 2012; seat: right; flight hours: 602 total, 298 in this make and model, 437 as pilot in command, 68 in the last 90 days, 44 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 280° at 12 knots, gusting 15 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 36 °F - Altimeter: 29.85 inHg - Observed at: BED, 10 nm away ## 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 20130420004659A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20130420004659A), Apr 20, 2013: Cessna 172N, Stow, MA, Substantial damage. The pilot in command, a certified flight instructor, was administering an introductory flight lesson and occupied the right seat. A third person occupied a… ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 10, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=86692. 5.9 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40391695&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Memorandum of Record - Weather (item 2, .PDF, 123 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40391698&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20of%20Record%20-%20Weather-Master.PDF - Memorandum of Record - FAA (item 3, .PDF, 26 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40391978&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20of%20Record%20-%20FAA-Master.PDF - Photo 1: Picture of Airplane in Hangar from front (Courtesy of FAA) (item 4, .PDF, 2.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40392131&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%3A%20Picture%20of%20Airplane%20in%20Hangar%20from%20front%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF - Photo 2: Picture of Airplane in Hangar from Rear (Courtesy of FAA) (item 5, .PDF, 2.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40392167&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%3A%20Picture%20of%20Airplane%20in%20Hangar%20from%20Rear%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.