# NTSB FTW88LA105: Cessna 172N, N4675G, Plano, TX, May 18, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 18, 1988, 16:15 local (21:15 UTC)
- Place: Plano, TX
- Location: 33.0198° N, 96.6989° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Plano, TX, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.0198&lon=-96.6989&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report November 24, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22642
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW88LA105
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22642/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW88LA105

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, landing
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - flight controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - uncontrolled, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - aborted

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PILOT WAS RETURNING FROM PRACTICE IN THE LOCAL AREA AND WAS ATTEMPTING A LANDING WITH A LEFT QUARTERING HEADWIND, WITH WIND GUSTS. AFTER TOUCHDOWN, THE AIRPLANE STARTED TO FLOAT AND DRIFTED TO THE LEFT, OFF THE RUNWAY. THE PILOT ATTEMPTED A GO-AROUND. THE AIRPLANE BECAME NOSE HIGH WITH AN EXTREME LEFT BANK. THE PLT SAID THE NOSE STARTED TO LEVEL AND HE SAW HE WAS HEADING TOWARD TELEPHONE POLES/WIRES. HE SAID HE DID NOT APPLY FURTHER BACK PRESSURE AND LET THE AIRPLANE DESCEND TO THE GROUND WITH THE LEFT WING AND NOSE LOW.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N4675G (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172N
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 172-73301
- Airframe hours: 3713
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Stramel Aviation
- Registered owner: Stramel Aviation, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: 100 hour, May 4, 1988, 15 hours before
- Departed: F26
- Airport: F26, Dallas North, runway 16, 3,060 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 22 total, 2 as pilot in command, 22 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 5 knots, gusting 18
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: ADS, 8 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 19880518014739A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880518014739A), May 18, 1988: Cessna 172N, Plano, TX, Substantial damage. Floated after touchdown. Failed to correct side drift. Began go around, saw trees. Closed throttle. Hit wing low.

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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