# NTSB FTW94LA129: Cessna 172P, N63456, Tulsa, OK, April 15, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 15, 1994, 08:52 local (13:52 UTC)
- Place: Tulsa, OK
- Location: 36.0396° N, 95.9846° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at TULSA RIVERSIDE (RVS), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.0396&lon=-95.9846&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 14, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 19036
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW94LA129
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19036/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW94LA129

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO COMPENSATE FOR WIND CONDITIONS. A FACTOR WAS THE GUSTING CROSS WIND.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - object - pole

## Analysis

DURING HIS FIRST SUPERVISED SOLO FLIGHT, THE STUDENT PILOT LOST CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT AND IT VEERED TO THE LEFT DURING HIS SECOND LANDING.  THE STUDENT PILOT REPORTED THAT HE NOTICED THE WINDS GUSTING FROM THE LEFT AND THE BEGAN TO GO TO THE LEFT SO HE APPLIED CORRECTIONS BUT THEY WERE NOT SUFFICIENT TO ARREST THE LEFT MOVEMENT. THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK THE WIND SOCK.

## Factual narrative

On April 15, 1994, at 0852 central daylight time, a Cessna 172P, N63456, was substantially damaged during landing near Tulsa, Oklahoma.  The solo student pilot was not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the instructional flight.

The pilot stated in the Pilot/Operator report that he lost control of the aircraft during the landing roll on his first supervised solo flight.  This was the second touch and go of the flight.  He was in radio contact with his instructor pilot and had received current weather prior to commencing the flight.  He further reported that he noticed that there were gusting winds from left.  As he touched down he noticed that the aircraft veered to the left of the runway and he applied corrections, but he stated that "it wasn't enough."  He also reported that he applied full power but that "it made it go more to the left."  The aircraft struck the windsock with the leftwing.

An inspection of the aircraft revealed no anomalies.

The aircraft was released to the owner.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N63456](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N63456), registered now, S/N 17275435, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172P
- Registry model: [Cessna 172P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172p) (registry code 2072436) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17275435
- Airframe hours: 5067
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D2J 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Spartan School Of Aeronautics
- Registered owner: Christianson Aviation, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 1, 1994, 42 hours before
- Departed: RVS
- Airport: RVS, Richard Lloyd Jones, Jr., runway 10, 4,207 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 20; student; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 49 total, 44 in this make and model, 22 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 340° at 16 knots, gusting 22
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: RVS

## 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 19940415007969A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940415007969A), Apr 15, 1994: Cessna 172P, Tulsa, OK, Substantial damage. Lost directional control first solo in strong crosswind. Hit windsock pole. Too much wind for a first solo student.

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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