# NTSB FTW89LA162: Cessna 172K, N736YG, Midlothian, TX, September 5, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 4, 1989, 20:10 local (Sep 5, 1989, 01:10 UTC)
- Place: Midlothian, TX
- Coordinates: 32.489021, -96.990829 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.4890&lon=-96.9908&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 22, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22915
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW89LA162
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22915/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW89LA162

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO COMPENSATE FOR THE CROSSWIND CONDITION, WHICH RESULTED IN A LOSS OF DIRECTIONAL CONTROL AND COLLISION WITH A TREE.

## 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
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

THE PILOT FAILED TO COMPENSATE FOR THE LEFT-TO-RIGHT CROSSWIND RESULTING IN A LOSS OF DIRECTIONAL CONTROL ON TOUCHDOWN. AFTER LEAVING THE PREPARED SURFACE OF THE WET SOD STRIP THE RIGHT WING STRUCK A MESQUITE TREE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N736YG](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N736YG-2012-09-06), registration cancelled 2012-09-06, S/N R1722889, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172K
- Registry model: [Cessna R172K](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-r172k) (registry code 2072431) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-360-series) (registry code 17025, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Seymour A Ashley
- Registered owner: Ashley, John S
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Departed: GRAPE LAND, TX
- Airport: NONE, Lake Meadows Airpark, runway 17, 1,624 × 60 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 303 total, 17 in this make and model, 237 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 90° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 82 °F

## 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 19890904033689A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890904033689A), Sep 4, 1989: Cessna 172K, Midolothian, TX, Substantial damage. Allowed aircraft to veer off runway during a crosswind landing. Struck a mesquite tree.

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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