# NTSB FTW02LA170: Cessna 172E, N364SR, Navajo Dam, NM, June 2, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 1, 2002, 19:40 local (Jun 2, 2002, 01:40 UTC) - Place: Navajo Dam, NM - Coordinates: 36.813888, -107.652496 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.8139&lon=-107.6525&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 1, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 54841 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW02LA170 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/54841/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=54841 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW02LA170 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure maintain directional control of the airplane during a touch and go landing which resulted in a collision with trees. A contributing factor was the gusting wind conditions. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - aborted - object - tree(s) ## Analysis During a touch and go landing, the pilot initiated a slight right turn to avoid striking a bird, and at which time, a wind gust pushed the airplane to the right. The pilot reduced engine power, aborted the takeoff, and the airplane veered off the right side of the runway. Subsequently, the right wing struck a tree, the airplane pivoted around the tree, and then the left wing contacted the ground. The pilot stated the wind was from the west-southwest and gusting. ## Factual narrative On June 1, 2002, approximately 1940 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 172E single-engine airplane, N364SR, was substantially damaged after it struck a tree while executing touch and go landings at the Navajo Dam Airport, Navajo State Park, New Mexico. The student pilot, sole occupant and registered owner of the airplane, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 solo instructional flight. The flight departed the Four Corners Regional Airport, Farmington, New Mexico, at 1838. According to the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2), the pilot stated that he was performing touch and go landings to runway 24. After the second touch and go landing, the pilot increased engine power to depart. The pilot initiated a slight right turn to avoid striking a bird, and at that time, a wind gust pushed the airplane to the right. The pilot reduced engine power, aborted the takeoff, and the airplane veered off the right side of the runway. Subsequently, the right wing struck a tree, the airplane pivoted around the tree, and then the left wing contacted the ground. The outboard 3 feet section of the left wing was structurally damaged. The pilot stated the wind was from the west-southwest and gusting. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N364SR](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N364SR), registered now, S/N 17251558, built 1964 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172E - Registry model: [Cessna 172E](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172e) (registry code 2072412) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17251558 - Airframe hours: 4055.7 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-A1A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, December 26, 2001, 31.6 hours before - Departed: FMN, FARMINGTON, NM - Destination: 1V0, NAVAJO DAM, NM - Airport: 1V0, Navajo State Park, runway 24, 4,995 × 60 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Student pilot; age 46; injuries: none; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 256 total, 132 in this make and model, 256 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 240° at 15 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F ## 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 20020601010189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020601010189A), Jun 1, 2002: Cessna 172E, Navajo Dam, NM, Substantial damage. (.19) On June 1, 2002, approximately 1940 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 172E single-engine airplane, N364SR, was substantially damaged after it struck a… ## Other investigations on N364SR (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 LAX66D0108](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX66D0108), Sep 11, 1965: Cessna 172 (N364SR), Rosamond, CA, substantial damage ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 3, 2002, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=54841. 460 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 460 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40442532&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.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.