# NTSB ERA19TA192: Cessna 172, N64003, Stafford, VA, May 23, 2019 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Final report - Date: May 23, 2019, 14:10 local (18:10 UTC) - Place: Stafford, VA - Coordinates: 38.398056, -77.455558 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.3981&lon=-77.4556&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 99601 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA19TA192 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/99601/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99601 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA19TA192 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control while landing in gusting crosswind conditions, which resulted in a runway excursion. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [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) - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); 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) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 61 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); 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: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 100 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that during final approach, he flew a minor crab angle due to a right crosswind. After touchdown, the airplane veered right and traveled off the right side of the runway. The nose gear struck a concrete slab and then collapsed. The airplane sustained damage to the firewall, engine mount, and left wing. Examination of the airplane did not reveal any preimpact mechanical malfunctions, and control continuity was confirmed from the rudder to the rudder pedals. In addition, the pilot did not report any preimpact mechanical malfunctions with the airplane. The recorded wind at the airport about the time of the accident was a nearly direct right crosswind at 8 knots, gusting to 16 knots. ## Factual narrative On May 23, 2019, about 1410 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172M, N64003, was substantially damaged while landing at Stafford Regional Airport (RMN), Stafford, Virginia. The private pilot was no injured. The personal flight was conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the flight that departed Shannon Airport (EZF), Fredericksburg, Virginia, about 1315. The pilot stated that during approach to runway 15, the automated weather observation system (AWOS) reported the wind from 220° (varying between 150° and 240°) at 9 knots, gusting to 14 knots. The pilot further stated that there was some crosswind, but it only required a minor crab during final approach. Shortly after touchdown, the airplane veered right, traveled off the right side of the runway and the nosegear struck a concrete slab. The airplane travelled another 10 feet before the nosegear collapsed and the airplane came to rest upright. A witness stated that he departed RMN in his airplane about 3 to 5 minutes prior to the accident. At that time, the AWOS indicated a crosswind of less than 10 knots, slightly favoring runway 15. The witness further stated that during initial climb, between 50 and 150 feet above ground level, the airplane encountered a severe increase in crosswind that required large counter control input. The airplane also encountered strong downdrafts until climbing to a higher altitude. Examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed damage to the firewall, engine mount, and left wing. The inspector was able to confirm control continuity from the rudder to the rudder pedals. He did not observe any preimpact mechanical malfunctions, nor did the pilot report any. The recorded wind at RMN, at 1415, was from 230° at 8 knots, gusting to 16 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N64003](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N64003-2021-07-31), registration cancelled 2021-07-31, S/N 17264951, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172 (M) - 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: 17264951 - Year built: 1975 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 SERIES reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Shannon School Of Aeronautics Llc - Registered owner: Shannon School Of Aeronautics Llc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: EZF, Fredericksburg, VA - Destination: RMN, Stafford, VA - Airport: RMN, Stafford Regional Airport, runway 15, 5,000 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 53; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 251 total, 60 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 230° at 8 knots, gusting 16 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 70 °F - Altimeter: 30.10 inHg - Observed at: RMN ## 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 20190523016659A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20190523016659A), May 23, 2019: Cessna 172M, Fredricksburg, VA, Substantial damage. N64003 is a 1975 Cessna 172M owned and operated by shannon school of aeronautics in fredericksburg, VA. The standard normal utility a/w Date is 15 March 1975… ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 2, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99601. 1.1 MB in all. - Pilot Statement (item 1, .PDF, 84 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40473947&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Statement-Master.PDF - Witness Statement (item 2, .PDF, 100 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40473890&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Statement-Master.PDF - Weather Report (item 3, .PDF, 53 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40473891&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Report-Master.PDF - Memorandum For Record - Wreckage Exam (item 4, .PDF, 52 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40473892&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20For%20Record%20-%20Wreckage%20Exam-Master.PDF - Photo Array (item 5, .PDF, 3 photos, 831 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40473893&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%20Array-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.