# NTSB FTW98LA311: Cessna 172N, N5103D, Yoakum, TX, July 6, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 6, 1998, 11:30 local (16:30 UTC) - Place: Yoakum, TX - Coordinates: 29.290327, -97.140533 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.2903&lon=-97.1405&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 15, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 43165 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW98LA311 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/43165/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW98LA311 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate compensation for the crosswind resulting in a loss of control. A factor was the crosswind. ## 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) - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll - object - airport sign/marker ## Analysis During landing, the student pilot, who was on a solo cross country flight, lost control of the airplane. Upon touchdown with a right crosswind, the student pilot allowed the airplane to drift left, and the left wheel went off the pavement. The airplane then veered right, exited the right side of the runway, and impacted a runway identification sign. ## Factual narrative On July 6, 1998, at 1130 central daylight time, a Cessna 172N airplane, N5103D, was substantially damaged when it impacted a runway identification sign following a loss of control during landing at the Yoakum Municipal Airport in Yoakum, Texas. The student pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The airplane was registered to AB Aviation of Tomball, Texas, and operated by National Aviation Services of Spring, Texas. No flight plan was filed and visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the Title 14 CFR Part 91 solo cross country instructional flight. The airplane departed from David Wayne Hooks Memorial Airport, Houston, Texas. The pilot reported that as the airplane touched down on runway 13, "a right crosswind pushed the airplane to the left." As he attempted "to recenter, the left wheel left the runway and the airplane entered into a right skid." The airplane "veered" off the right side of the runway, impacted a runway identification sign and "came to rest 15 ft. to the right of the runway." According to the pilot, the wind was from 220 degrees at 15 knots. The FAA inspector who examined the airplane reported that the nose landing gear was folded rearward, the firewall was wrinkled, and the left wing strut to fuselage attach point was damaged. At 1153, the Automated Surface Observing Station (ASOS) at the Victoria Regional Airport, located 30 nautical miles south-southeast of the accident site, recorded winds from 220 degrees at 8 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: N5103D (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172N - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17272423 - Airframe hours: 5573 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: National Aviation Services Inc - Registered owner: Ab Aviation Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, May 31, 1998, 46 hours before - Departed: DWH, HOUSTON, TX - Destination: T85 - Airport: T85, Yoakum Municipal, runway 13, 3,439 × 60 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 40; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 70 total, 69 in this make and model, 15 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 220° at 15 knots - Lowest ceiling: none ## 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 19980706024409A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980706024409A), Jul 6, 1998: Cessna 172N, Yoakum, TX, Substantial damage. Solo cross country flight. Lost directional control landing. Veered off runway into runway sign.(.4) on July 6, 1998, at 1130 central daylight time, a Cessna… 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.