# NTSB ERA24LA145: Textron 172S, N838ER, Melbourne, FL, March 15, 2024 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: March 15, 2024, 16:05 local (20:05 UTC) - Place: Melbourne, FL · Runway 5, off to the right about 500 ft down runway - Coordinates: 28.09788, -80.63526 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.0979&lon=-80.6353&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): 193960 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA24LA145 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/193960/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=193960 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24LA145 ## Probable cause The student pilot’s failure to maintain directional control while landing in a crosswind. ## 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: [Textron 172S, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2072449), [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 · Student/instructed pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Textron 172S, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072449), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Textron 172S, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=2072449), [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: [Textron 172S, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2072449), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Textron 172S, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=2072449), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) ## Analysis The student pilot was on the first leg of his initial solo cross-country flight. He was initially cleared for an approach to runway 9R at the destination airport, with a surface wind reported from 110° at 13 knots. After reporting a 7-mile final for runway 9R, tower controller directed him to land on runway 5. During landing, as the nose wheel touched down, the airplane “weathervaned” to the right. He abruptly added left rudder, which resulted in the airplane’s wheels “side drift[ing]” to the right and he lost control of the airplane. The airplane departed the runway to the right, eventually coming to rest in a grassy area adjacent to the runway. The right wing and upper fuselage were substantially damaged during the runway excursion. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures of the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. Following the accident, the flight school that operated the airplane reminded its students that when they are switched from a runway with a headwind to one with a crosswind, it is acceptable to decline an air traffic control request if students are uncomfortable with it. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N838ER](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N838ER), registered now, S/N 172S12961, built 2023 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: TEXTRON AVIATION INC 172S - Registry model: [Textron 172S](https://openairdocs.org/model/textron-172s) (registry code 2072449) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-360-L2A](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-360-l2a) (registry code 41597, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 172S12961 - Year built: 2023 - Airframe hours: 674 - Engines: Lycoming IO-360-L2A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Inc - Registered owner: Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: AAIP, March 11, 2024 - Departed: DAB, Daytona Beach, FL - Destination: Same as departure - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: MLB, Melbourne Orlando International, runway 5, 3,001 × 74 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Auto-pilot, ADS-B, Stall warning system, Satellite tracking device, Electronic primary flight display, Data recorder, Electronic multifunction display, Electronic flight bag or handheld device ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Student pilot; age 19; injuries: none; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 53 total, 53 in this make and model, 2 as pilot in command, 53 in the last 90 days, 34 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 110° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 66 °F - Altimeter: 30.03 inHg - Observed at: KMLB - METAR: KMLB 151953Z 11010KT 10SM FEW055 26/19 A3003 RMK AO2 SLP169 T02610194 ## 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 20240315001899A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20240315001899A), Mar 15, 2024: Textron Aviation Inc 172S, Melbourne, FL, Substantial damage. The aircraft was inbound for a landing at kmlb. The pilot was told to expect runway 9R. Tower later changed the instruction to enter the left base for runway… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 3, 2024, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=193960. 3.1 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 2.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16986194&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB%206120_1%20838%20Completed_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Investigation photographs (item 2, PDF, 6 pages, 715 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16986252&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Investigation%20Photographs-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.