# NTSB FTW92LA057: Cessna 172N, N4885G, Albuquerque, NM, January 14, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 14, 1992, 11:25 local (18:25 UTC)
- Place: Albuquerque, NM
- Location: 35.1449° N, 106.7952° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at DOUBLE EAGLE II (AEG), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.1449&lon=-106.7952&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 11, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18434
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW92LA057
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18434/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW92LA057

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING LANDING. A FACTOR WAS HIS LACK OF TOTAL EXPERIENCE.

## 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)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - aborted landing - initiated, pilot in command
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - aborted
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven
  - terrain condition - snow covered
- Nose over, landing - aborted
  - terrain condition - ditch

## Analysis

A TWELVE HOUR STUDENT PILOT LOST DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF HIS AIRPLANE WHEN HE ADDED POWER FOR AN ATTEMPTED ABORTED LANDING ON HIS FIRST SOLO LANDING. THE AIRPLANE YAWED TO THE LEFT APPROXIMATELY THIRTY DEGREES, AND CONTINUED TO FLY A FEW INCHES OFF THE GROUND UNTIL CONTACT WAS MADE WITH THE ROUGH AND UNEVEN GROUND ON THE SIDE OF THE RUNWAY. AFTER CROSSING A DRAINAGE DITCH, THE NOSE GEAR CAUGHT A RUT ON THE SOFT GROUND AND THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER, COMING TO REST INVERTED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4885G](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4885G), registered now, S/N 17273432 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172N
- 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: 17273432
- Airframe hours: 3500
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Thomas Kuehn, doing business as West Mesa Aviation
- Registered owner: Century Elevator Corp.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, December 30, 1991, 21 hours before
- Airport: AEG, Dougle Eagle II, runway 22, 7,398 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 17; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 12 total, 12 in this make and model, 12 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 27 °F, dew point 18 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ABQ, 6 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 19920114000559A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920114000559A), Jan 14, 1992: Cessna 172N, Albuquerque, NM, Substantial damage. Ballooned on first solo touchdown. Added power. Floated. Failed maintain directional control. Hit turf and snow.

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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