# NTSB FTW92LA114: Cessna 172M, N6934H, Stuttgart, AR, April 12, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 12, 1992, 07:30 local (12:30 UTC)
- Place: Stuttgart, AR
- Coordinates: 34.490383, -91.549865 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.4904&lon=-91.5499&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 23, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18477
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW92LA114
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18477/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW92LA114

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO COMPENSATE FOR WIND CONDITIONS. FACTORS WERE THE CROSSWIND AND THE DOWNDRAFT.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, landing
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Hard landing, descent - uncontrolled
  - proper descent rate - not maintained, pilot in command
- Nose gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown
- Nose over, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

WITNESSES REPORTED A 30 TO 45 DEGREE CROSSWIND ESTIMATED AT 18 TO 20 KNOTS. ON SHORT FINAL, THE PILOT ENCOUNTERED TURBULENCE AND A DOWNDRAFT CREATED BY A LARGE HANGAR LOCATED ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF HIS INTENDED TOUCHDOWN POINT. THE PILOT CONTINUED THE APPROACH AND THE ENSUING HARD LANDING COLLAPSED THE NOSE GEAR, AND THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6934H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6934H-2013-07-08), registration cancelled 2013-07-08, S/N 17265651, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172M
- Registry model: [Cessna 172M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172m) (registry code 2072418) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17265651
- Airframe hours: 5270
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: John Wells, doing business as John Wells Aviation
- Registered owner: John Wells
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, February 7, 1992, 69 hours before
- Departed: M99, BENTON, AR
- Airport: NONE, Dockery, runway 36, 2,200 × 30 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 66; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,008 total, 100 in this make and model, 17 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 45° at 18 knots, gusting 20

## 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 19920412009639A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920412009639A), Apr 12, 1992: Cessna 172M, Stuttgart, AR, Substantial damage. Reported severe wind shear on final. Hit ground wings level. Impact damaged wing spars expannege and firewall.

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.