# NTSB FTW91LA069: Cessna 172L, N5536E, Huntsville, TX, April 20, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 20, 1991, 16:30 local (21:30 UTC)
- Place: Huntsville, TX
- Coordinates: 30.710596, -95.539443 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.7106&lon=-95.5394&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 31, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23327
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW91LA069
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23327/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW91LA069

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE.  A FACTOR WAS THE EMPHASIS PLACED UPON FULL-STALL LANDINGS BY HIS INSTRUCTOR.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, go-around (vfr)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - inadequate initial training, pilot in command(cfi) (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, go-around (vfr)
  - terrain condition - open field
- Nose over, other

## Analysis

THE PILOT ESTABLISHED THE FLARE IN A NOSE HIGH ATTITUDE. THE AIRPLANE WAS CONFIGURED WITH FULL FLAPS. A GUST BALLOONED THE AIRPLANE AT WHICH TIME THE PILOT APPLIED PARTIAL POWER IN AN ATTEMPT TO RECOVER. AIRPLANE DIRECTIONAL CONTROL WAS LOST, IT DRAGGED A WINGTIP AND NOSED OVER. THE PILOT STATED THAT HIS FLIGHT TRAINING HAD STRESSED FULL STALL LANDINGS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5536E](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5536E), registered now, S/N 17271885, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172L
- Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17271885
- Airframe hours: 3647
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Wade Gillaspie, doing business as Huntsville Aviation
- Registered owner: Wade Gillaspie
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 5, 1991, 8 hours before
- Departed: OCH, NACADOCHES, TX
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: T39, Huntsville, runway 36, 5,000 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 46 total, 39 in this make and model, 17 as pilot in command, 35 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 350° at 6 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point -0 °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 19910420011609A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910420011609A), Apr 20, 1991: Cessna 172L, Huntsville, TX, Substantial damage. Flared nose high for landing. Gusty winds caused a wing to drag on ground. Aircraft then nosed over.

## Other investigations on N5536E (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 FTW83LA140](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW83LA140), Mar 6, 1983: Cessna 172N (N5536E), Canton, TX, 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.

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