# NTSB FTW95LA076: Cessna 172N, N737ZJ, Albuquerque, NM, December 29, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 29, 1994, 14:45 local (21:45 UTC)
- Place: Albuquerque, NM
- Coordinates: 35.155889, -106.79502 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.1559&lon=-106.7950&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 19, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 19329
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW95LA076
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19329/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW95LA076

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING A TOUCH-AND-GO LANDING.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing
  - touch-and-go - performed, pilot in command
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing

## Analysis

A SOLO STUDENT PILOT WAS PRACTICING TOUCH-AND-GO LANDINGS WHEN THE AIRCRAFT WENT OFF THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY DURING A LANDING. THE AIRCRAFT'S RIGHT WING TIP HIT THE GROUND AS IT CAME TO A STOP IN THE SOFT ROUGH TERRAIN. THE WIND WAS FROM 190 DEGREES AT 8 KNOTS.

## Factual narrative

On December 29, 1994, at 1445 mountain standard time, a Cessna 172N, N737ZJ, was substantially damaged while landing near Albuquerque, New Mexico.  No flight plan was filed and visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local instructional flight.  The solo student pilot was not injured.

The pilot/operator report stated the following information.  The pilot was practicing touch-and-goes on Runway 22 at Double Eagle II Airport, Albuquerque, New Mexico.  The second touch-and-go resulted in "loss of directional control."  The aircraft subsequently went off the runway to the south (left).  The right wing tip hit the ground, as the airplane came to a stop in the soft rough terrain.  Wind was from 190 degrees at 8 knots.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N737ZJ](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N737ZJ), registered now, S/N 17269799, built 1977 (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: 69799
- Airframe hours: 4973
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Peacock Flying Service
- Registered owner: Mccloskey, Edwin M.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, November 14, 1994, 93 hours before
- Airport: AEG, Double Eagle II, runway 22, 7,398 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 66 total, 65 in this make and model, 25 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 190° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 34 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: ABQ, 7 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 19941229043319A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19941229043319A), Dec 29, 1994: Cessna 172N, Albuquerque, NM, Substantial damage. Lost directional control on touch and go. Veered off runway. Wing struck rough terrain.

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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