# NTSB FTW98LA036: Cessna 172F, N8714U, Hurley, NM, October 29, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 29, 1997, 10:35 local (17:35 UTC) - Place: Hurley, NM - Location: 32.6365° N, 108.1564° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at GRANT COUNTY (SVC), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.6365&lon=-108.1564&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 4, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 20473 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW98LA036 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20473/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW98LA036 ## Probable cause the student pilot's failure to adequately compensate for the wind conditions. Factors included the gusty crosswind conditions and inadequate supervision of the student pilot's solo flight by his flight instructor. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, landing - flare/touchdown - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - supervision - inadequate, flight instructor(on ground) (contributing factor) - In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown ## Analysis As the student pilot flared for landing on runway 26, a 'violent wind' forced the airplane into a right bank and it drifted 'slightly off' the runway centerline. The pilot attempted to level the wings and correct with opposite rudder, but the airplane contacted the ground with its right wing. The pilot added power but the airplane contacted the runway in a nose down attitude. The wind was reported to be from 290 degrees at 13 knots, gusting to 19 knots. According to the Wind Component Graph, a 30 degree right quartering headwind between 13 and 19 knots will result in a crosswind component between 5 and 9 knots and a headwind component between 11 and 17 knots. According to the 1965 Cessna 172F Owner's Manual, 'The maximum allowable crosswind velocity is dependent upon pilot capability rather than airplane limitations. With average pilot technique, direct crosswinds of 15 MPH can be handled with safety.' ## Factual narrative On October 29, 1997, approximately 1035 mountain standard time, a Cessna 172F, N8714U, was substantially damaged when it collided with terrain during supervised solo flight at Hurley, New Mexico. The student pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the instructional flight being conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The flight originated at Hurley at 1030. The instructor and student had been practicing windy landing approaches. The instructor got out of the airplane to allow the student to practice solo. According to the pilot's accident report, when he flared for landing on runway 26, a "violent wind" forced the airplane into a right bank and it drifted "slightly off" the runway centerline. The pilot attempted to level the wings and correct with opposite rudder, but the airplane contacted the ground with its right wing. The pilot added power but the airplane contacted the runway again in a nose down attitude. According to an FAA inspector, the instructor was in his automobile and was leaving the airport when he saw the airplane approaching. He stopped at the end of the runway and observed the accident. The wind was reported to be from 290 degrees at 13 knots, gusting to 19 knots. According to the Wind Component Graph, a 30 degree right quartering headwind between 13 and 19 knots will result in crosswind and headwind components between 5 and 9 knots and 11 and 17 knots, respectively. According to the 1965 Cessna 172F Owner's Manual, "The maximum allowable crosswind velocity is dependent upon pilot capability rather than airplane limitations. With average pilot technique, direct crosswinds of 15 MPH can be handled with safety." The nose landing gear was sheared off, the firewall and cowling were wrinkled, both wing tips were damaged, and the aft portion of the fuselage was buckled. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8714U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8714U-2012-07-31), registration cancelled 2012-07-31, S/N 17252618, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172F - Registry model: [Cessna 172F](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172f) (registry code 2072414) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 1722618 - Airframe hours: 3613 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-A1A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Roderick P. Nichols - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 8, 1997, 31 hours before - Departed: SVC - Airport: SVC, Grant County, runway 26, 6,800 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 49; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 44 total, 25 in this make and model, 1 as pilot in command, 34 in the last 90 days, 14 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 290° at 13 knots, gusting 19 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 34 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: SVC ## 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 19971029031109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19971029031109A), Oct 29, 1997: Cessna 172F, Silver City, NM, Substantial damage. Acft lost control on landing and the nose gear broke off of the acft, Silver City, NM. (.4)as the student pilot flared for landing on runway 26, a 'violent… 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.