# NTSB FTW87LA157: Cessna 172L, N3980Q, Houston, TX, July 3, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 3, 1987, 11:50 local (16:50 UTC)
- Place: Houston, TX
- Location: 29.7633° N, 95.3633° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Houston, TX, within about 14 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.7633&lon=-95.3633&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 25, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22390
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW87LA157
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22390/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW87LA157

## 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
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - ground loop/swerve - uncontrolled

## Analysis

WHILE LNDG, THE STUDENT PLT HAD FLARED THE ACFT IN A RGT X-WIND WITH GUSTS TO 13 KTS. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT DRIFTED LEFT & THE LEFT MAIN GEAR WENT INTO SOFT MUD. THE ACFT THEN VEERED TO THE LEFT AND WAS DAMAGED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3980Q](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3980Q), registered now, S/N 17260080, built 1971 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172L
- Registry model: [Cessna 172L](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172l) (registry code 2072432) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17260082
- Airframe hours: 2379
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Carl E. Raines, doing business as D & N Flying Service
- Registered owner: Carl E Raines
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, May 2, 1987
- Airport: T03, Genoa, runway 14, 2,000 × 110 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 13 total, 3 in this make and model, 1 as pilot in command, 13 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 9 knots, gusting 13
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °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 19870703032149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870703032149A), Jul 3, 1987: Cessna 172L, Houston, TX, Substantial damage. Lost control during landing flare and ran off the runway damaging the left wing. Excessive wind for a student pilot

## Other investigations on N3980Q (1)

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.

- [NTSB MKC78DCA20](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC78DCA20), Apr 29, 1978: Cessna 172 (N3980Q), Bismarck, MO, substantial damage

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.