# NTSB FTW83LA203: Cessna 172B, N6992X, Spearman, TX, April 24, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 24, 1983, 17:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: Spearman, TX
- Coordinates: 36.190238, -101.189842 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.1902&lon=-101.1898&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): 20875
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW83LA203
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20875/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW83LA203

## 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
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - not corrected, pilot in command (cause)
  - compensation for wind conditions - not possible, pilot in command (cause)
  - wind information - not obtained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)
- Nose gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - landing gear,nose gear - overload (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT SWERVED OFF THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE RWY AND COLLIDED WITH A DITCH. THE ACFT NOSE GEAR COLLAPSED DURING THE SEQUENCE. THE LANDING WAS ON RWY 20 AND DURING THE APPROACH THE PLT NOTICED THAT THE WIND WAS OUT OF THE SOUTH AND THAT THE WIND SOCK WAS STRAIGHT OUT. THE PLT FURTHER STATED THAT THE WIND SHIFTED TO THE EAST AT TOUCHDOWN. THE PLT ESTIMATEDTHE WIND VELOCITY AS 11 MPH GUSTING TO 35 KTS. THE 1735 OBSERVATION FOR AMARILLO REPORTED THE WINDS FROM 170 DEGREES AT 17 KTS GUSTING TO 23 KTS. THE PLT WAS RETURNING FROM A CROSS COUNTRY AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT AND HAD CALLED SPEARMAN UNICOM WHILE APPROACHING FOR AN ARPT ADVISORY BUT NO RESPONSE WAS OBTAINED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6992X](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6992X), registered now, S/N 17247892, built 1960 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172B
- Registry model: [Cessna 172B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172b) (registry code 2072406) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17247892
- Airframe hours: 5089
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300-D 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Larry D. Kingsley
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 23, 1983, 3 hours before
- Departed: AMA, AMARILLO, TX
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: 047, Spearman Municipal, runway 20, 200 × 75 ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 70 total, 69 in this make and model, 47 as pilot in command, 31 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 170° at 17 knots, gusting 17
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: AMA, 75 nm away

## 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 19830424015239A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830424015239A), Apr 24, 1983: Cessna 172B, Spearman, TX, Substantial damage. Student lost control landing in a gusty wind. Aircraft left the runway and struck a ditch.

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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