# NTSB GAA15CA156: Cessna 172N, N3159E, Vernal, UT, June 26, 2015 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 26, 2015, 09:50 local (15:50 UTC) - Place: Vernal, UT - Coordinates: 40.444721, -109.51139 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.4447&lon=-109.5114&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 12, 2015 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: Salt Lake City FSDO (FAA) - NTSB case key (mKey): 91485 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA15CA156 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/91485/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91485 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA15CA156 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing in crosswind conditions, which resulted in a runway excursion and an impact with an airport sign. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 150 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 82 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 19 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-landing roll: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 18 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 81 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 81 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 134 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that during the landing roll he encountered a crosswind, the left wing lifted, and the airplane began to drift left of the centerline. He attempted to correct with the right rudder and brake but the airplane departed the runway to the left. During the runway excursion, the airplane impacted an airport sign and came to rest on an adjacent runway. The pilot stated that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. Substantial damage was found to the right elevator and firewall. The reported wind at the airport about the time of the accident were from 080 degrees at 11 knots, which created a crosswind component of 2 knots for landing on runway 7. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that during the landing roll he encountered a crosswind, the left wing lifted, and the airplane began to drift left of the centerline. He attempted to correct with the right rudder and brake but the airplane departed the runway to the left. During the runway excursion, the airplane impacted an airport sign and came to rest on an adjacent runway. The pilot stated that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. Substantial damage was found to the right elevator and firewall. The reported winds at the airport about the time of the accident were from 080 degrees true at 11 knots, which created a crosswind component of 2 knots for landing on runway 07. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3159E](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3159E), registered now, S/N 17271455 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172N (N) - Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17271455 - Year built: 1979 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320 SERIES 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 30, 2014 - Departed: VEL, Vernal, UT - Destination: VEL, Vernal, UT - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: VEL, Vernal Rgnl, runway 07, 4,108 × 60 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Handheld GPS, Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 49; injuries: none; recreational; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review February 23, 2015; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 54 total, 8 in this make and model, 24 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 80° at 11 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 30.29 inHg - Observed at: KVEL ## 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 20150626009049A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150626009049A), Jun 26, 2015: Cessna 172N, Vernal, UT, Substantial damage. Pilot landed aircraft at home base airport. Upon touchdown a strong gust of wind lifted the left wing and caused the pilot to lose control of the aircraft.… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 3, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91485. 5.8 MB in all. - Record of Conversation (Pilot in Command) (item 1, .PDF, 67 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40430227&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20(Pilot%20in%20Command)-Master.PDF - Written Statement (Pilot in Command) (item 2, .PDF, 270 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40430228&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Written%20Statement%20(Pilot%20in%20Command)-Redacted.PDF - Photo 1 – Airplane Firewall (Courtesy of Operator) (item 3, .PDF, 5.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40430229&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20%E2%80%93%20Airplane%20Firewall%20(Courtesy%20of%20Operator)-Master.PDF - Photo 2 – Elevator Damage (Courtesy of Operator) (item 4, .PDF, 198 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40430230&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%20%E2%80%93%20Elevator%20Damage%20(Courtesy%20of%20Operator)-Master.PDF 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.