# NTSB FTW96LA246: Cessna 172N, N3535E, Farmington, NM, June 12, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 12, 1996, 10:30 local (16:30 UTC) - Place: Farmington, NM - Coordinates: 36.750953, -108.179519 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.7510&lon=-108.1795&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 19, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 19861 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW96LA246 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19861/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW96LA246 ## Probable cause failure of the pilot to maintain directional control during a touch-and-go landing, which resulted in a ground swerve and subsequent collision with a parked airplane. ## 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 - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command - On ground/water collision with object, landing - object - aircraft parked/standing ## Analysis During a touch-and-go landing on a student solo training flight, the aircraft departed the side of the runway. Subsequently, it went across a grass area, a taxiway, and onto an adjacent ramp, where it collided with a parked aircraft (Cessna 402, N26156). The student pilot had a total flight time of 31 hours, which included 12.3 hours in the same make and model and 2.6 hours of solo flight time. ## Factual narrative On June 12, 1996, at 1030 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 172N, N3535E, departed the side of the runway during takeoff on a touch-and-go landing at Four Corners Regional Airport, Farmington, New Mexico. The solo student pilot was not injured and the aircraft sustained substantial damage. The flight was operating under Title 14 CFR Part 91 as a student solo training flight and no flight plan was filed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. According to witnesses in the control tower, it appeared the pilot lost control during a touch-and-go landing and went off the side of the runway, across a grass area, taxiway, and onto an adjacent ramp where the aircraft collided with a parked Cessna 402 (N26156) causing minor damage to the parked aircraft. The pilot's statement (see attached) collaborates what the control tower personnel observed and reported in an interview with an FAA inspector. As reported on NTSB Form 6120.1/2, the student pilot had 31 hours total flight time, 12.3 hours in this make and model aircraft, and according to his written statement, he had soloed after 28.4 hours of instruction. Thus, it is calculated that he had 2.6 hours of solo flight time. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3535E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3535E-2012-10-04), registration cancelled 2012-10-04, S/N 17271577, built 1978 (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: 17271577 - Airframe hours: 2566 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Four Corners Aviation - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 5, 1996, 10 hours before - Departed: FMN - Airport: FMN, Four Corners Regional, runway 25, 6,702 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 17; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 31 total, 12 in this make and model, 12 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 300° at 6 knots - Visibility: 30 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft broken - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 30 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: FMN, 1 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 19960612013419A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960612013419A), Jun 12, 1996: Cessna 172N, Farmington, NM, Substantial damage. Lost control on touch and go practice. Exited runway across grass taxiway and ramp then struck parked aircraft. (-23) upon touchdown rwy 25, the aircraft… ## Other investigations on N3535E (1) 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. - [NTSB FTW02LA063](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW02LA063), Jan 9, 2002: Cessna 172N (N3535E), Durango, CO, substantial damage. Probable cause: the pilot's failure to maintain clearance with the trees and mountainous terrain while maneuvering. A contributing factor was the pilot's delay in taking remedial action. 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.