# NTSB FTW96LA152: Cessna 172M, N73356, Fredericksburg, TX, March 22, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 22, 1996, 12:47 local (18:47 UTC) - Place: Fredericksburg, TX - Coordinates: 30.270769, -98.86927 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.2708&lon=-98.8693&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor - Status: Completed, report October 4, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 19787 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW96LA152 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19787/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW96LA152 ## Probable cause failure of the pilot to maintain adequate airspeed during the approach and go-around, which resulted in a stall and subsequent collision with the ground. Factors relating to the accident were: the high, gusty, crosswind conditions, and the pilot's lack of recent experience. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, go-around (vfr) - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - weather condition - high wind (contributing factor) - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) - airspeed - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause) - lack of recent experience, pilot in command (contributing factor) - In flight collision with terrain/water, go-around (vfr) ## Analysis The pilot of a Cessna 172M was landing on runway 14 in winds that reportedly were from 150 to 160 degrees at 14 gusting 20 knots. According to the pilot of another airplane, the Cessna pilot's approach was 'too low, shallow, and slow.' The witness further reported that he didn't think the airplane 'would reach the runway,' and as it reached the runway, it began 'to rock indicating he was about to stall.' The pilot stated in his report, that he advanced full throttle and initiated a go-around to abort the landing. He reported that the stall horn 'went off momentarily and the plane dropped hard on the right wheel and bounced back up in the air.' The pilot further stated that during the ensuing attempted go-around, 'the stall horn began to sound again.' The aircraft impacted the ground, and a postimpact fire erupted and destroyed the airplane. The pilot had flown 2.4 hours in the last 90 days. ## Factual narrative On March 22, 1996, at 1247 central standard time, a Cessna 172M, N73356, registered to Wright Flyers Inc., and operated by Wright Flyers Aviation Inc., under Title 14 CFR Part 91, was destroyed following a loss of control during landing near Fredericksburg, Texas. The private pilot sustained serious injuries and his passenger received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the cross country flight that originated at San Antonio International Airport near San Antonio, Texas, approximately 52 minutes before the accident. No flight plan was filed for the personal flight. According to a pilot who witnessed the landing on runway 14, "his approach was too low, shallow, and slow." The witness further reported that he didn't think the aircraft "would reach the runway", and as the aircraft did reach the runway it was beginning "to rock indicating he was about to stall." The pilot stated in his report, that he advanced full throttle and "initiated a go around to abort the landing." He reported that the stall horn "went off momentarily and the plane dropped hard on the right wheel and bounced back up in the air." The winds, at the time of the accident, were reported between 150 and 160 degrees, at 14 knots, gusting to 20 knots. The temperature was 75 degrees. The pilot further stated that during the ensuing attempted go-around, "the stall horn began to sound again." The aircraft impacted the ground, and a post-impact fire destroyed the airplane. The pilot reported on his Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report that he had a total of 94.9 hours of flight experience and 2.4 hours during the last 90 days. He further stated that this was a "pleasure flight." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N73356](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N73356-2018-01-26), registration cancelled 2018-01-26, S/N 17267397, built 1976 (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: 17267397 - Airframe hours: 6882 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Wright Flyers, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, March 20, 1996, 6 hours before - Departed: SAT, SAN ANTONIO, TX - Destination: T82 - Airport: T82, Gillespie County, runway 14, 3,787 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 36; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 95 total, 28 in this make and model, 2 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 160° at 14 knots, gusting 20 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: SAT, 45 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 19960322004959A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960322004959A), Mar 22, 1996: Cessna 172M, Fredricksburg, TX, Destroyed. Low and slow on final then began go around wings rocking. Stalled. Impacted runway and burned. 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.