# NTSB FTW97LA197: Cessna 172RG, N9492D, Rio Hondo, TX, May 22, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 22, 1997, 12:00 local (17:00 UTC) - Place: Rio Hondo, TX - Coordinates: 26.23018, -97.580757 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.2302&lon=-97.5808&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report October 31, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 20224 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW97LA197 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20224/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW97LA197 ## Probable cause failure of the pilot to use all of the available runway during landing, and his resultant failure to attain a proper touchdown point for a safe rollout. Factors relating to the accident were: the wet runway with hydroplaning conditions, the uneven terrain (after the aircraft exited the runway), and the proximity of tree(s). ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Overrun, landing - roll - all available runway - not used, pilot in command (cause) - proper touchdown point - not attained, pilot in command (cause) - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - wet (contributing factor) - aircraft performance,hydroplaning condition (contributing factor) - On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor) - object - tree(s) (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot was returning to land on runway 18 after a 1 hour local flight. His first approach was 'high', and during the approach, he observed a rain shower at the departure end, moving in a northerly direction. The pilot then elected to execute a go-around and set up for another approach. He extended 30 degrees of flaps on the second approach, which was also high, and the aircraft touched down about 1,100 feet down the 2,600 foot runway. The pilot applied brakes, but the aircraft 'hydroplaned' and skidded off the right side of the runway, past the departure end, and onto uneven grassy terrain. The left wing struck a tree and the aircraft came to rest in a drainage ditch. Witnesses reported that there was standing water on the runway when the aircraft landed. ## Factual narrative On May 22, 1997, at 1200 central daylight time, a Cessna 172RG airplane, N9492D, was destroyed following a loss of control while landing at Farm Services Airport, near Rio Hondo, Texas. Both occupants, an instrument rated private pilot and passenger, sustained minor injuries. The rental airplane was registered to a private individual and leased back to West Houston Airport (operator), Houston, Texas. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. In an interview with the NTSB investigator-in-charge, the pilot reported that he was returning to land after a 1 hour local flight. He stated that his first approach was "high." Also, he observed a rain shower at the departure end of runway 18, moving in a northerly direction, so he elected to execute a go-around and set up for another approach. The pilot extended 30 degrees of flaps on the second approach, which was also high, and touched down about 1,100 feet down the 2,600 foot runway. After applying brakes the aircraft "hydroplaned" and skidded off the right side of the runway, past the departure end, and onto uneven grassy terrain. The left wing struck a tree and the aircraft came to rest in a drainage ditch. Examination of the wreckage by an FAA inspector revealed that the left wing sustained structural damage, and the fuselage was "split in two." The nose gear was found collapsed rearward rendering damage to the floor structure of the cabin and engine firewall. The FAA inspector also reported that the runway initially had a landing heading of 180 degrees, but from approximately midpoint, the runway surface turns to intercept a landing heading of 170 degrees. He further reported that there was standing water on the runway surface. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9492D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9492D-1998-01-27), registration cancelled 1998-01-27, S/N 172RG1186 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172RG - Registry model: [Cessna 172RG](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172rg) (registry code 2072438) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 172RG1186 - Airframe hours: 6796 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-F1AG 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: West Houston Airport - Registered owner: Don A. Culwell - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 4, 1996, 90 hours before - Departed: XS64 - Airport: XS64, Farm Services, runway 18, 2,600 × 22 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 26; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 245 total, 53 in this make and model, 18 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 350° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 2,800 ft broken - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 75 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: HRL ## 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 19970522011759A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970522011759A), May 22, 1997: Cessna 172RG, Rio Hondo, TX, Destroyed. High and fast on second try to land. Hydroplaned in standing water on runway. Slid off end. Wing hit tree and ditch (-23) aircraft was on a local area flight… 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.