# NTSB FTW98LA318: Cessna 172H, N3743R, Commerce, TX, July 24, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 24, 1998, 10:00 local (15:00 UTC) - Place: Commerce, TX - Coordinates: 33.230056, -95.899902 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.2301&lon=-95.8999&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 16, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 43254 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW98LA318 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/43254/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW98LA318 ## 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 - in flight, landing - flare/touchdown - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll - object - tree(s) ## Analysis During landing on runway 18 with a right crosswind, the private pilot lost control of the airplane. Upon touchdown, the airplane bounced, and according to the pilot, the wind 'got under' the right wing. The left wing tip touched the runway, and the airplane turned to the left. Although the pilot initially added power to go around, when he realized it was not possible to clear the tree line ahead, he reduced power and landed the airplane. During the ground roll, the airplane collided with the trees. The pilot reported the wind was from 240 degrees at 17 knots gusting to 20 knots. ## Factual narrative On July 24, 1998, at 1000 central daylight time, a Cessna 172H airplane, N3743R, collided with trees following a loss of control during landing at the Commerce Municipal Airport in Commerce, Texas. The airplane, which was registered to and operated by the pilot, sustained substantial damage. The private pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. No flight plan was filed and visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight that departed from Greenville, Texas, approximately 0915. According to the 308-hour pilot, he was performing his ninth touch and go landing on runway 18 with wind from 240 degrees at 17 knots gusting to 20 knots. The airplane touched down and "bounced, wind got under right wing, tilted [the airplane], touching left wing tip to runway and turning [the airplane] about 70 degrees to left." The pilot applied full power to go around; however, he "could not gain enough airspeed or altitude to clear tree line on east side of airport" and elected to reduce power and land the airplane. During the ground roll, the airplane collided with the trees. According to the FAA inspector who examined the airplane, the leading edge of the left wing was crushed aft in several places, and the left wing tip was separated. The leading edge of the right wing was dented, and the leading edge of the left horizontal stabilizer was crushed aft. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3743R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3743R-2012-09-12), registration cancelled 2012-09-12, S/N 17255543, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172H - Registry model: [Cessna 172H](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172h) (registry code 2072424) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17255543 - Airframe hours: 2885 - Engines: Continental O-300 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: G.A. Merworth - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 14, 1997, 81 hours before - Departed: GVT, GREENVILLE, TX - Destination: 2F7 - Airport: 2F7, Commerce Municipal, runway 18, 3,900 × 60 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 62; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 308 total, 242 in this make and model, 209 as pilot in command, 47 in the last 90 days, 38 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 240° at 17 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 90 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg ## 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 19980724017659A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980724017659A), Jul 24, 1998: Cessna 172H, Commerce, TX, No damage. Acft lost control during landing and struck the asphalt, unable to avoid tree line, pilot aborted takeoff and went into trees. (-23) pilot stated gust of wind… 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.