# NTSB ERA14CA291: Cessna 172B, N7540X, Frankfort, KY, June 13, 2014

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: June 13, 2014, 16:30 local (20:30 UTC)
- Place: Frankfort, KY
- Coordinates: 38.181667, -84.906669 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.1817&lon=-84.9067&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 27, 2014
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- NTSB case key (mKey): 89450
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA14CA291
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/89450/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89450
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14CA291

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing in crosswind conditions, resulting in a loss of control and runway excursion.

## 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 172B, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2072406), [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 172B, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072406), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [Experience/qualifications: total experience](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031015): Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge · Pilot; cases with it: [Cessna 172B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031015/cases.md?model=2072406), [All aircraft, 126 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031015/cases.md)
- [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Cessna 172B, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=2072406), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/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 on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172B, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2072406), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md)
- [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 172B, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2072406), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

According to the student pilot, he was attempting a touch-and-go landing on runway 25, with a strong crosswind out of the north. The airplane touched down on the left main gear first, and the wind turned the airplane 45 degrees away from the runway heading. He attempted to regain directional control; however, he observed parked airplanes and a fueling station ahead. As the airplane departed the runway onto the grass, he attempted a go around. After becoming airborne, the nose gear and the left wing collided with a hill and the airplane bounced. The airplane stalled and came down on the nose and right wing tip before coming to a stop. A post-accident examination of the wreckage confirmed substantial damage to the firewall, both wings, and the aft fuselage. The pilot reported no pre-impact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Factual narrative

According to the student pilot, he was attempting a touch-and-go landing on runway 25, with a strong crosswind out of the north. The airplane touched down on the left main gear first, and the wind turned the airplane 45 degrees away from the runway heading. He attempted to regain directional control; however, he observed parked airplanes and a fueling station ahead. As the airplane departed the runway onto the grass, he attempted a go around. After becoming airborne, the nose gear and the left wing collided with a hill and the airplane bounced. The airplane stalled and came down on the nose and right wing tip before coming to a stop. A post-accident examination of the wreckage confirmed substantial damage to the firewall, both wings, and the aft fuselage. The pilot reported no pre-impact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7540X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7540X-2016-04-04), registration cancelled 2016-04-04, S/N 17248040, built 1960 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172B
- Registry model: [Cessna 172B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172b) (registry code 2072406) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17248040
- Year built: 1960
- Airframe hours: 3441
- Engines: CONT MOTOR 0-300 SER 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Cline James M
- Registered owner: Cline James M
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 25, 2014, 50 hours before
- Departed: FFT, Frankfort, KY
- Destination: FFT, Frankfort, KY
- Airport: FFT, Capital City AP, runway 25, 5,506 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Student pilot; age 41; injuries: none; student; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 20 total, 20 in this make and model, 1 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: variable at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 29.94 inHg
- Observed at: FFT

## 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 20140613009149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140613009149A), Jun 13, 2014: Cessna 172B, Frankfort, KY, Substantial damage. Low time student pilot on 3rd solo. Pilot stated that at 1445 hours local, the weather forecast reported 7000? Ceiling, winds variable at 5 knots and…

## Docket (8 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 15, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89450. 8.1 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 459 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40417710&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF
- FAA Inspector Statement (item 2, .PDF, 26 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40417711&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%20Statement-Redacted.PDF
- Record of Conversation - FAA Inspector (#2) (item 3, .PDF, 52 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40417712&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20-%20FAA%20Inspector%20(%232)-Master.PDF
- Weather Data - Frankfort, KY (item 4, .PDF, 36 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40417713&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Data%20-%20Frankfort,%20KY-Master.PDF
- Photo 1 - Wreckage (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 5, .PDF, 1.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40417714&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20-%20Wreckage%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF
- Photo 2 - Underside of Fuselage (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 6, .PDF, 1.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40417715&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%20-%20Underside%20of%20Fuselage%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF
- Photo 3 - Outboard Section of Right Wing (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 7, .PDF, 2.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40417716&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%203%20-%20Outboard%20Section%20of%20Right%20Wing%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF
- Photo 4 - Outboard Section of Left Wing (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 8, .PDF, 2.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40417717&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%204%20-%20Outboard%20Section%20of%20Left%20Wing%20(Photo%20Courtesy%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.

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