# NTSB FTW03LA138: Cessna 172C, N1667Y, Pecos, TX, April 22, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 22, 2003, 13:30 local (18:30 UTC) - Place: Pecos, TX - Coordinates: 31.382223, -103.510559 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.3822&lon=-103.5106&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 23, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration (FSDO) - NTSB case key (mKey): 56862 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW03LA138 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/56862/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW03LA138 ## Probable cause The failure of the pilot to maintain aircraft control while landing. A contributing factor was the gusty wind condition. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - flare/touchdown - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) - became lost/disoriented, pilot in command (contributing factor) - In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown ## Analysis The pilot was unable to locate the intended destination airstrip and attempted to land on an open road. During the landing flare, the airplane encountered a "hard" gust of wind from the right. The airplane began moving to the left and the left main landing gear contacted a dirt mound. The pilot advanced the throttle and attempted to realign the airplane with the road; however, was unsuccessful. Subsequently, the airplane contacted a fence and the ground. According to the pilot, at the time of the accident the wind was from the southwest at 10 knots, gusting to 20 knots. ## Factual narrative On April 22, 2003, approximately 1330 central daylight time, a Cessna 172C airplane, N1667Y, was substantially damaged following a loss of control while landing on a road (FM 2119), near Pecos, Texas. The airplane was registered to American Energy Pecos County of Pecos, and was operated by the pilot. The private pilot and one passenger were not injured, and one passenger sustained a minor injury. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The cross-country flight originated from Fort Stockton, Texas, and was destined for a private airstrip located 40 miles northwest of Pecos. According to the pilot, the purpose of the flight was to visit property, located 40 miles northwest of Pecos. He was aware of a private airstrip located on the property and flew to the property; however, was unable to locate the airstrip. Subsequently, he identified a suitable road, FM 2119 and attempted to land. During the landing flare (to the north), the airplane encountered a "hard" gust of wind from the right. The airplane began drifting to the left and the left main landing gear contacted a dirt mound. The pilot advanced the throttle and attempted to realign the airplane with the road; however, was unsuccessful. Subsequently, the airplane contacted a fence and the ground. According to the pilot, at the time of the accident the wind was from the southwest at 10 knots, gusting to 20 knots. The pilot reported, the propeller blades were bent, the engine firewall was buckled, both wing-tips and the right wing spar were damaged. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1667Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1667Y-2007-05-10), registration cancelled 2007-05-10, S/N 17249367, built 1962 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172C - Registry model: [Cessna 172C](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172c) (registry code 2072408) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17249367 - Airframe hours: 4253 - Engines: Continental O-300-D 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Gary W. Weddle, doing business as N/A - Registered owner: American Energy Pecos County - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 24, 2002, 45.6 hours before - Departed: FST, Fort Stockton, TX - Destination: NONE, Pecos, TX ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 46; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review April 18, 2003; seat: left; flight hours: 77 total, 75 in this make and model, 40 as pilot in command, 37 in the last 90 days, 35 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 225° at 10 knots, gusting 20 - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 77 °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 20030422004599A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030422004599A), Apr 22, 2003: Cessna 172C, Pecos, TX, Substantial damage. (-23) On April 22, 2003, approximately 1530 central daylight time, Cessna 172C, N1667Y was substantially damaged following loss of control while attempting to… 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.