# NTSB FTW83LA174: Cessna 172M, N9591H, Odessa, TX, March 31, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 31, 1983, 15:45 local (21:45 UTC)
- Place: Odessa, TX
- Coordinates: 31.929058, -102.360198 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.9291&lon=-102.3602&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 20853
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW83LA174
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20853/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW83LA174

## 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
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - wrong runway - selected, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - not possible, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - proper alignment - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment (contributing factor)

## Analysis

REPORTEDLY, BEFORE LANDING, FLT SERVICE ADVISED THAT THE WIND WAS FROM 220 DEG. WHILE ON AN APCH TO RWY 20, THE PLT ENCOUNTERED SEVERE BUFFETING. AFTER TOUCHING DOWN IN A X-WIND CONDITION, THE ACFT ROLLED APRX 300 FT, THEN ENCOUNTERED A GUST OF WIND & DRIFTED OFF THE RWY. THE PLT ELECTED TO 'GO WITH THE WIND & USE THE GRASS BESIDE THE RWY TO STOP.' AFTER DECELERATING ON THE GRASS TO APRX 30 MPH, ANOTHER GUST WAS ENCOUNTERED & THE ACFT DRIFTED FURTHER LEFT & HIT A MOUND OF DIRT. AFTER THE ACCIDENT, THE PLT REPORTED THE WIND WAS FROM 270 DEG AT 20, GUSTING 30 KTS. APRX 9 MI WEST SOUTHWEST AT THE MIDLAND REGIONAL ARPT, THE 1552 CST WIND WAS FROM 250 DEG AT 24, GUSTING 33 KTS. REPORTEDLY, THE PLT COULD HAVE LANDED ON A MORE FAVORABLE RWY (RWY 29).

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9591H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9591H-2020-02-28), registration cancelled 2020-02-28, S/N 17266250, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172M
- Registry model: [Cessna 172M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172m) (registry code 2072418) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17266250
- Airframe hours: 855
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Andrew J. Pirkle
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 11, 1983
- Departed: 21XS, BIG SPRING, TX
- Airport: E02, Schlemeyer, runway 20, 5,000 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 167 total, 69 in this make and model, 139 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 20 knots, gusting 30
- Visibility: 100 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °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 19830331011079A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830331011079A), Mar 31, 1983: Cessna 172M, Odessa, TX, Substantial damage. Pilot allowed aircraft to drift off runway during landing and onto a dirt embankment shearing nose wheel.

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.