# NTSB FTW86LA094: Cessna 172N, N6352D, Vega, TX, May 28, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 28, 1986, 18:15 local (23:15 UTC)
- Place: Vega, TX
- Coordinates: 35.240818, -102.419898 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.2408&lon=-102.4199&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22029
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW86LA094
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22029/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW86LA094

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - flare - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - landing gear,main gear - overload (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
- Nose over, other

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS PRACTICING TOUCH AND GO LANDINGS, WHEN THE AIRCRAFT BEGAN VEERING TO THE LEFT AFTER LANDING. HE TRIED TO APPLY FULL RIGHT RUDDER, BUT THE AIRCRAFT CONTINUED TO VEER LEFT OFF THE RUNWAY. THE PILOT PULLED THE NOSE UP TO CLEAR A TRACTOR. THE AIRCRAFT STALLED, PITCHED NOSE DOWN, COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND, AND NOSED OVER INTO AN INVERTED POSITION. INSPECTION OF THE LEFT MAIN GEAR REVEALED WHAT APPEARED TO BE A NEW BREAK IN THE BOLT WHICH HOLDS THE MAIN GEAR, AS A RESULT OF A HARD LANDING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6352D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6352D-1989-05-09), registration cancelled 1989-05-09, S/N 17272738 (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: 17272738
- Airframe hours: 600
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: George W. Jenkins
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 21, 1986, 24 hours before
- Departed: AMARILLO, TX
- Airport: E52, Vega-Oidham Co, runway 35, 3,600 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,000 total, 25 in this make and model, 24 as pilot in command, 24 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 320° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: AMA, 30 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 19860528019899A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860528019899A), May 28, 1986: Cessna 172N, Vega, TX, Destroyed. Pilot stated aircraft veered off runway and he pulled up to avoid a vehicle. Main gear bolt found cracked.

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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