# NTSB FTW98LA219: Cessna 172M, N64015, Albuquerque, NM, May 17, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 17, 1998, 15:20 local (21:20 UTC) - Place: Albuquerque, NM - Coordinates: 35.060256, -106.619728 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.0603&lon=-106.6197&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 19, 1999 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 20605 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW98LA219 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20605/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW98LA219 ## Probable cause The flight instructor's failure to maintain directional control of the aircraft. Factors were crosswind, high wind conditions, insufficient demonstrated crosswind component information provided by the manufacturer, and insufficient aircraft standards/requirements by the FAA. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - weather condition - high wind (contributing factor) - information insufficient, manufacturer (contributing factor) - insufficient standards/requirements,aircraft, faa(organization) (contributing factor) - go-around - attempted, pilot in command(cfi) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) - In flight collision with object, go-around (vfr) - object - other - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - ditch ## Analysis While on final approach to runway 17, the instructor took control of the aircraft due to strong winds and turbulence. Immediately after touchdown, a strong gust of wind lifted the right wing and the aircraft rolled to the left. He applied full power in an attempt to go-around, but the aircraft was unable to climb and departed the left side of the runway. The instructor maneuvered the aircraft to remain north of runway 26 due to landing and departing traffic, and attempted to pass between a storage tank and a shed. While airborne, the main right gear impacted a metal pipe and the aircraft struck a fire extinguisher on a hand cart, and the aircraft came to rest in a drainage ditch. Winds at the time of the accident were reported from 210 degrees at 16 knots, gusting to 35 knots. According to the aircraft owner's manual regarding crosswind landings, 'The maximum allowable crosswind velocity is dependent upon pilot capability rather than aircraft limitations. With average pilot technique, direct crosswinds of 15 knots can be handled with safety.' No demonstrated crosswind component and limit is provided by the manufacturer, and none is required by the FAA. ## Factual narrative On May 17, 1998, at 1520 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 172M, N64015, was destroyed when it collided with objects and terrain during landing at Albuquerque International Airport, Albuquerque, New Mexico. The commercial certificated flight instructor received minor injuries and his flight student was not injured. The airplane was being operated by Mountain Aviation Enterprises, Ltd., under Title 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the instructional flight which originated from Coronado Airport, Albuquerque, New Mexico, 15 minutes before the accident. No flight plan had been filed. According to the flight instructor, he and his flight student were practicing touch-and-go landings at Coronado Airport. After completing four landings, the wind became gusty and virga was visible in the area. The flight instructor made the decision to discontinue the lesson and return to Albuquerque International Airport. While on final approach to runway 17 at Albuquerque International Airport, the instructor took control of the aircraft due to strong winds and turbulence. Immediately after touchdown, a strong gust of wind lifted the right wing and the aircraft rolled to the left. He applied full power in an effort to go-around, but the aircraft was unable to climb and departed the left side of the runway. The instructor maneuvered the aircraft to remain north of runway 26 due to landing and departing traffic, and attempted to pass between a storage tank and a shed. While still airborne, the main right gear impacted a metal pipe. Immediately after, the aircraft struck a fire extinguisher on a hand cart. The airplane came to rest inverted in a drainage ditch approximately 1800 feet from the centerline of the runway. Winds at the time of the accident were reported from 210 degrees at 16 knots, gusting to 35 knots. According to the aircraft owner's manual regarding crosswind landings, "The maximum allowable crosswind velocity is dependent upon pilot capability rather than aircraft limitations. With average pilot technique, direct crosswinds of 15 knots can be handled with safety." No demonstrated crosswind component is provided. The manufacturer did not begin specifying demonstrated crosswind component values until 1980 year models and on. No crosswind limit has been established, nor is it required. Postaccident examination of the aircraft revealed that the nose and right main landing gear were separated from the aircraft, the propeller and cowling were bent, the front and rear windows were shattered, the right elevator was destroyed, the top of the rudder and right wing were bent, and both wing struts were broken. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N64015](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N64015-1998-11-24), registration cancelled 1998-11-24, S/N 17264962 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172M - Registry model: [Cessna 172M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172m) (registry code 2072418) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17264962 - Airframe hours: 6078 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-E2D 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Mountain Aviation Enterprises - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, May 5, 1998, 65 hours before - Departed: 4AC, CORONADO, NM - Destination: ABQ - Airport: ABQ, Albuquerque International, runway 17, 10,010 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 59; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 9,100 total, 3,000 in this make and model, 9,000 as pilot in command, 159 in the last 90 days, 64 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 210° at 16 knots, gusting 35 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 27 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: ABQ ## 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 19980517009729A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980517009729A), May 17, 1998: Cessna 172M, Albuquerque, NM, Destroyed. Acft veered off RWY17 on landing, wings collapsed, and came to rest inverted, Albuquerque, NM. (.4) while on final approach to runway 17, the instructor took… 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.