# NTSB FTW00LA050: Cessna 172S, N912JR, Sugar Land, TX, December 17, 1999

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 17, 1999, 12:54 local (18:54 UTC)
- Place: Sugar Land, TX
- Coordinates: 29.610229, -95.609687 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.6102&lon=-95.6097&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 2, 2001
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 48360
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW00LA050
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/48360/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW00LA050

## Probable cause

The student pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during the landing roll.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing
  - object - sign
  - terrain condition - ditch

## Analysis

The student pilot stated that he was cleared to land on runway 17.  The pilot added that he trimmed the airplane for 60-62 knots and touched down on the runway.  Upon landing, the airplane started to shimmy and vibrate.  The pilot stated that the airplane then veered to the left.  He added that he tried to control the airplane to no avail, and the airplane departed the runway, crossed a taxiway, impacted a taxiway light and a ditch, coming to rest upright.

## Factual narrative

On December 17, 1999, at 1254 central standard time, a Cessna 172S airplane, N912JR, was substantially damaged when it impacted a taxiway light and a ditch while landing at the Sugar Land Municipal Airport, Sugar Land, Texas.  The student pilot, sole occupant, was not injured.  The airplane was registered to DJ's Unlimited, Inc., of Houston, Texas, and operated by the student pilot.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 solo instructional flight.  The local flight originated from the West Houston Airport, Houston, Texas, at 1230, and was terminating at Sugar Land Municipal Airport at the time of the accident.

In the enclosed Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2), the student pilot stated that he was cleared to land on runway 17.  The pilot added that he trimmed the airplane for 60-62 knots and touched down on the runway.  Upon landing, the airplane started a "shimmering or vibration."  The pilot stated that the airplane then veered to the left.  The pilot further stated that he tried to control the airplane to no avail, and the airplane departed the runway, crossed a taxiway, impacted a taxiway light and a ditch, and came to rest upright.

According to the FAA inspector, who responded to the accident site, the horizontal stabilizer's spar was structurally damaged.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N912JR](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N912JR), registered now, S/N 172S8200, built 1999 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Cessna 172S
- Registry model: [Cessna 172S](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172s) (registry code 2072439) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-435A2-KSER](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-435a2-kser) (registry code 41518, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 172S8200
- Engines: Lycoming IO-360 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Darrell K. Kappmeyer
- Registered owner: Dj'S Unlimited, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: IWS, WEST HOUSTON, TX
- Destination: SGR
- Airport: SGR, Sugar Land Municipal, runway 17, 8,000 × 100 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 40 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 120° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 66 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SGR

## 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 19991217037159A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19991217037159A), Dec 17, 1999: Cessna 172S, Houston, TX, Substantial damage. (.19) On December 17, 1999, at 1354 central standard time, a Cessna 172S airplane, N912JR, was substantially damaged when it impacted a taxiway light and a…

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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