# NTSB ERA21LA092: Cessna 172S, N505LP, Culpeper, VA, December 22, 2020

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: December 22, 2020, 12:00 local (17:00 UTC)
- Place: Culpeper, VA · On runway 4
- Coordinates: 38.524409, -77.860355 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.5244&lon=-77.8604&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 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): 102473
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA21LA092
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/102473/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=102473
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21LA092

## Probable cause

The pilot’s decision to land the airplane in crosswind conditions that exceeded the airplane’s maximum demonstrated crosswind velocity.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Aircraft capability: maximum crosswind component](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061015): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Capability exceeded (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172S, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061015/cases.md?model=2072439), [All aircraft, 21 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061015/cases.md)
- [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172S, 41 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=2072439), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md)
- [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Cessna 172S, 18 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=2072439), [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: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Cessna 172S, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=2072439), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md)
- [Landing: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172S, 102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=2072439), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The purpose of the flight was for the pilot to practice crosswind landings, and she described experiencing gusty wind conditions on her arrival at the destination airport. She believed that the wind conditions that prevailed at the time would have resulted in a direct left crosswind of 20 knots (the wind conditions recorded by the airport’s automated weather observation system indicated that a crosswind of 16 knots, gusting to 29 knots prevailed about the time of the accident). While on final approach, and with 20° of flaps extended, she maintained a normal approach speed plus an additional 7 knots. During the landing flare, a gust of wind struck the airplane. The airplane then struck the ground, ballooned back into the air, and landed hard. After landing, she taxied to the ramp and secured it. The lower portion of the airplane’s fuselage was substantially damaged during the accident. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures of the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The Pilot’s Operating Handbook and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Approved Airplane Flight Manual specified the maximum demonstrated crosswind velocity for the airplane was 15 knots.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N505LP](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N505LP), registered now, S/N 172S8546, built 2000 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172S (NO SERIES)
- Registry model: [Cessna 172S](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172s) (registry code 2072439) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 172S8546
- Year built: 2000
- Airframe hours: 2476.6
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-L2A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Wifa (Washington International Flight Academy) LLC
- Registered owner: Wifa (Washington International Flight Academy) LLC
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 10, 2020, 20.9 hours before
- Departed: GAI, Gaithersburg, MD
- Destination: Same as departure
- Airport: CJR, Culpepper, runway 4, 5,000 × 100 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: Auto-pilot, ADS-B, Stall warning system

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 21; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review October 27, 2020; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 202 total, 98 in this make and model, 186 as pilot in command, 141 in the last 90 days, 57 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 16 knots, gusting 29
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 5,500 ft overcast
- Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 27 °F
- Altimeter: 30.05 inHg
- Turbulence: Unknown
- Observed at: KCJR
- METAR: KCJR 221655Z AUTO 29016G29KT 10SM OVC055 11/M03 A3005 RMK AO2 T01071035

## 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 20201222017339A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20201222017339A), Dec 22, 2020: Cessna 172S, Brandy Station, VA, Substantial damage. The pilot attempted to land the aircraft in a 25 knot crosswind. While in the roundout, a gust of wind hit the aircraft and the pilot was unable to react. The…

## Other investigations on N505LP (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 ERA25LA311](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA25LA311), Aug 21, 2025: Cessna 172 (N505LP), Gaithersburg, MD, substantial damage. Probable cause: The flight instructor’s distraction during landing, which resulted in a long landing and subsequent runway excursion.

## Docket (7 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 6, 2021, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=102473. 10.5 MB in all.

- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 5.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11780561&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_1%20Master%20Form%20Recd%2012%2031%202020_ERA21LA092_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Witness statement (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 364 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11780769&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Statement%20Concerning%20Wind%20Information_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Excerpt from pilot's operating handbook and FAA approved airplane flight manual (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 105 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11782433&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Excerpt%20from%20POH_AFM-Rel.pdf
- Record of NTSB conversations (item 4, PDF, 7 pages, 150 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11780728&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Record%20of%20NTSB%20Conversations_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Weather reports and records (item 5, PDF, 4 pages, 2.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11813960&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=WX%20Memorandum%20For%20Record%20Form_ERA21LA092-Rel.pdf
- Investigative photographs (item 6, PDF, 5 pages, 5 photos, 1.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11781466&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Investigative%20Photographs-Rel.pdf
- Release of aircraft wreckage, NTSB form 6120.15 (item 7, PDF, 1 page, 519 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11780506&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Fully%20Executed%20Wreckage%20Release_ERA21LA092_Redacted-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.

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