# NTSB ERA21LA074: Cessna 172, N19801, Dexter, ME, December 11, 2020 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: December 11, 2020, 12:27 local (17:27 UTC) - Place: Dexter, ME - Coordinates: 45.004508, -69.237437 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.0045&lon=-69.2374&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: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 102412 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA21LA074 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/102412/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=102412 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21LA074 ## Probable cause The pilot’s loss of directional control while landing, which resulted in an encounter with snow and subsequent nose over. ## 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 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) - [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) - [Object/animal/substance: snow/ice](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022060): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022060/cases.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 67 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022060/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 26 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=2072418), [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 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) ## Analysis The pilot was practicing take-offs and landings and described that during the landing flare, a gust of wind pushed the airplane toward the left side of the runway. The airplane’s left main wheel then encountered snow on the side of the runway that pulled the airplane to the left. When the airplane’s nose wheel hit the snow, the airplane nosed over. The vertical stabilizer and both wings of the airplane were substantially damaged. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures of the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N19801](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N19801), registered now, S/N 17260764, built 1972 (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: 17260764 - Year built: 1972 - Airframe hours: 5503 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Dexter Aero Club - Registered owner: Dexter Aero Club - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 9, 2020, 19 hours before - Destination: Same as departure - Airport: 1B0, Dexter Regional Airport, runway 16, 3,008 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Stall warning system, ADS-B, Angle of attack indicator ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 49; injuries: none; student; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 40 total, 15 in this make and model, 12 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 11,000 ft broken - Temperature: 36 °F, dew point 39 °F - Altimeter: 30.15 inHg - Observed at: BGR, 21 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 20201211017679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20201211017679A), Dec 11, 2020: Cessna 172M, Dexter, ME, Substantial damage. As stated by the pilot. He completed a preflight of the aircraft at 1BO Dexter, Maine intending to practice take offs, landings and pattern work at this… ## Other investigations on N19801 (1) 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. - [NTSB NYC92LA104](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC92LA104), Jun 9, 1992: Cessna 172N (N19801), Dexter, ME, substantial damage. Probable cause: A FAILURE OF THE TOP TORQUE LINK BOLT ON THE NOSE LANDING GEAR WHICH RESULTED IN A LANDING WITH A FLAT STRUT AND MISALIGNED WHEEL. ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 16, 2021, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=102412. 2.3 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 2.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11809572&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120%20new_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Memorandum of record FAA (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 100 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11817397&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Memorandum%20Of%20Record%20FAA%20examination%20summary%20%20N19801-Rel.pdf - Photo array (item 3, PDF, 2 pages, 195 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11811877&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Array%20LA074-Rel.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.