# NTSB FTW95LA017: Cessna 172M, N20384, Farmington, NM, October 13, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 13, 1994, 14:40 local (20:40 UTC)
- Place: Farmington, NM
- Coordinates: 36.819618, -107.999229 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.8196&lon=-107.9992&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 27, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 19284
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW95LA017
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19284/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW95LA017

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR WIND CONDITIONS. FACTORS WERE WIND SHEAR, CROSSWINDS, AND GUSTS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, landing - aborted
  - weather condition - windshear (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - aborted landing - attempted, pilot in command
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown
  - landing gear - overload

## Analysis

THE PILOT MADE A NORMAL NO-FLAP APPROACH AND LANDING ON RUNWAY 7. ATIS REPORTED THAT THE WIND WAS FROM 110 DEGREES AT 20 KNOTS WITH GUSTS TO 30 KNOTS, AND A WIND SHEAR ALERT WAS IN EFFECT. AFTER THE AIRPLANE TOUCHED DOWN, A STRONG WIND GUST CAUSED THE NOSE TO PITCH UP. THE PILOT APPLIED FULL POWER IN AN ATTEMPT TO GO AROUND, BUT THE NOSE PITCHED DOWN, THE AIRPLANE STRUCK THE GROUND AND THE NOSE WHEEL COLLAPSED.

## Factual narrative

On October 13, 1994, at 1440 mountain daylight time, N20384, a Cessna 172M, was substantially damaged during a hard landing at Farmington, New Mexico.  The airline transport rated pilot was not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed.

The following is based on the pilot's report.  He made a normal no-flap approach and landing on runway 07, using the VASI (visual approach slope indicator).  The wind was reported to be from 100 degrees at 18 knots, then changed to be variable from 090 degrees to 110 degrees at 20 knots and gusting.  After touching down, a strong wind gust caused the nose to pitch up.  He applied full power in an attempt to go around, but the nose pitched down.  The nosewheel struck the ground and collapsed, and the airplane skidded to a halt.

ATIS (automatic terminal information service) information Uniform was current at the time of the accident.  According to the broadcast, the wind was from 110 degrees at 20 knots, with gusts to 30 knots, and a wind shear alert was in effect.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N20384](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N20384), registered now, S/N 17261244, built 1972 (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: 17261244
- Airframe hours: 2400
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Sleater, Keith L.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, October 1, 1994, 10 hours before
- Departed: VGT, LAS VEGAS, NV
- Destination: FMN
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: FMN, Four Corners Regional, runway 7, 6,702 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 64; flight engineer, airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 33,500 total, 100 in this make and model, 30,000 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 110° at 20 knots, gusting 30
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 37 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: FMN

## 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 19941013035109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19941013035109A), Oct 13, 1994: Cessna 172M, Farmington, NM, Substantial damage. On landing wind gust caused pitch up. Came down nose first. Collasped nose gear. Wind shear alert existed.

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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