# NTSB FTW92LA088: Cessna 172B, N7492X, Scottsville, TX, April 1, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 1, 1992, 14:30 local (20:30 UTC)
- Place: Scottsville, TX
- Location: 32.5404° N, 94.2393° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Scottsville, TX, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.5404&lon=-94.2393&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 23, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18458
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW92LA088
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18458/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW92LA088

## Probable cause

PILOTS' INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR UNFAVORABLE WINDSHIFT. A FACATOR WAS THE UNFAVORABLE WIND.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

DURING A DAYTIME INITIAL CLIMB FROM A PRIVATE GRASS AIRSTRIP, THE WIND SHIFTED FROM A HEADWIND TO A CROSSWIND. DURING THE PILOT'S ATTEMPT TO COMPENSATE FOR THE WINDSHIFT AND GAIN CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE, THE AIRPLANE IMPACTED THE TERRAIN. THE PILOT STATED THAT THE WIND WAS FROM 320 DEGREES AT 12 KNOTS GUSTING TO 18 KNOTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7492X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7492X-1993-08-17), registration cancelled 1993-08-17, S/N 17247992 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172B
- Registry model: [Cessna 172B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172b) (registry code 2072406) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17247992
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300D 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: George E. Verhalen
- Registered owner: George E. Verhalen
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 2, 1992
- Airport: NONE, Private, runway 32, 1,746 × 60 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 63; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 321 total, 162 in this make and model, 257 as pilot in command, 38 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 310° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 34 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: TYR, 60 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 19920401007879A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920401007879A), Apr 1, 1992: Cessna 172B, Scottsville, TX, Substantial damage. Wind shift on takeoff lifted wing to near vertical causing other wing to hit ground. Aircraft cartwheeled.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.