# NTSB FTW87LA172: Cessna 172K, N84861, Brenham, TX, July 19, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 19, 1987, 18:45 local (23:45 UTC)
- Place: Brenham, TX
- Coordinates: 30.150413, -96.389999 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.1504&lon=-96.3900&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 14, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22402
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW87LA172
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22402/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW87LA172

## 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
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PILOT LOST DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING THE LANDING ROLL. THE AIRCRAFT VEERED OFF THE RUNWAY AND NOSED OVER TO THE INVERTED POSITION WHEN THE NOSE GEAR DROPPED INTO A HOLE HIDDEN BY TALL GRASS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N84861](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N84861-1991-02-15), registration cancelled 1991-02-15, S/N 17258643 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172K
- Registry model: [Cessna 172K](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172k) (registry code 2072430) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17258643
- Airframe hours: 3427
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Clarence Downing
- Registered owner: Clarence Downing
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 12, 1987
- Departed: 11R, BRENHAM, TX
- Destination: 11R
- Airport: 11R, Brenham Municipal, runway 16, 4,000 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 65 total, 65 in this make and model, 40 as pilot in command, 52 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 66 °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 19870719081429A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870719081429A), Jul 19, 1987: Cessna 172K, Brenham, TX, Substantial damage. Student lost directional control on a crosswind landing. Veered off runway and nosed over in 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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