# NTSB FTW83FA088: Cessna 172N, N737VQ, Carrollton, TX, January 16, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: January 16, 1983, 13:50 local (19:50 UTC)
- Place: Carrollton, TX
- Coordinates: 32.979804, -96.890571 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.9798&lon=-96.8906&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 20695
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW83FA088
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20695/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW83FA088

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, approach - vfr pattern - downwind
  - maintenance - inadequate (contributing factor)
  - autopilot/flight director,servo - contamination (contributing factor)
  - autopilot/flight director,servo - movement restricted (contributing factor)
  - autopilot/flight director,servo - engaged (contributing factor)
  - autopilot - inadvertent, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - flt control syst,aileron control - movement restricted (contributing factor)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - precautionary landing - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)
- Nose gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - landing gear,nose gear - overload (contributing factor)
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE PLT REPORTED THAT DURING ARRIVAL, HE ENTERED THE DOWNWIND WITH NO PROBLEM; HOWEVER, WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO TURN ON A LEFT BASE, THE AILERON CONTROL LOCKED UP. HE STATED HE COULD TURN NEITHER LEFT NOR RIGHT BY USING AILERONS. REPORTEDLY, THE ACFT WOULD BANK TO THE RIGHT WHEN HE USED LEFT RUDDER & VICE VERSA. THE PLT DECLARED AN EMERGENCY. AFTER CONTINUING WESTERLY APRX 6 MI, HE REDUCED POWER & LANDED IN A WHEAT FLD. DURING HE LANDING ROLL, THE NOSE GEAR HIT A DITCH & COLLAPSED AND THE ACFT NOSED OVER. AN EXAM OF THE FLT CONTROLS FAILED TO DISCLOSE ANY PREIMPACT FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION. A CHECK OF THE AUTO-PILOT REVEALED THAT THE CONTROL SERVO, PN 1C-465-1-732, WAS COVERED WITH AN OILY APPEARING SUBSTANCE THAT WAS STICKY, AND WOULD NOT SLIP UNTIL WELL ABOVE THE SPECIFIED 42 LBS OF CABLE TENSION. NO OTHER PREIMPACT MALFUNCTIONS OR FAILURES OF THE ACFT WERE FOUND. THE RELATIVELY INEXPERIENCED PLT DID NOT REMEMBER ENGAGING THE AUTO-PILOT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N737VQ](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N737VQ-1993-06-29), registration cancelled 1993-06-29, S/N 17269712 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172N
- Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17269712
- Airframe hours: 647
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Tejas Aviation, Inc.
- Registered owner: William F. Johnston
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 31, 1982, 14 hours before
- Departed: ADS, ADDISON, TX
- Airport: ADS, Addison

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 72 total, 62 in this make and model, 44 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 190° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19830116001009A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830116001009A), Jan 16, 1983: Cessna 172N, Carrollton, TX, Substantial damage. Pilot had no aileron conrol. Emergency landing in field resulted in crash. Autopilot malfunction suspected.

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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