# NTSB GAA15CA235: Cessna 172N, N733NH, Kalispell, MT, August 19, 2015

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: August 19, 2015, 12:10 local (18:10 UTC)
- Place: Kalispell, MT
- Coordinates: 48.178611, -114.303611 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.1786&lon=-114.3036&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 December 3, 2015
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 91847
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA15CA235
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/91847/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91847
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA15CA235

## Probable cause

The pilot's loss of directional control, which resulted in a runway excursion, and collision with runway and taxiway lights and terrain.

## 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)
- [Object/animal/substance: runway/taxi/approach light](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022012): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022012/cases.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 106 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022012/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: 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: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 22 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md)
- [Landing-landing roll: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094); cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/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

According to the pilot, during landing the airplane touched down and veered to the right. The airplane exited the right side of the runway and struck the runway and taxiway lights. The pilot reported that he over corrected with the rudder and brake, and the airplane turned to the left crossing back over the runway, and impacted a drainage ditch where the nose landing gear collapsed. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fire wall and horizontal stabilizer. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or anomalies prior to or during the flight that would have prevented normal operation.

## Factual narrative

According to the pilot, during landing the airplane touched down and veered to the right. The airplane exited the right side of the runway and struck the runway and taxiway lights. The pilot reported that he over corrected with the rudder and brake, and the airplane turned to the left crossing back over the runway, and impacted a drainage ditch where the nose landing gear collapsed. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fire wall and horizontal stabilizer. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or anomalies prior to or during the flight that would have prevented normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N733NH](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N733NH-2015-11-09), registration cancelled 2015-11-09, S/N 17268416, built 1977 (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: 17268416
- Year built: 1977
- Airframe hours: 4469
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Kermit N Chica
- Registered owner: Kermit N Chica
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 25, 2015, 10 hours before
- Departed: S27, Kalispell, MT
- Destination: S27, Kalispell, MT
- Airport: S27, Kalispell, runway 13, 3,600 × 60 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: Stall warning system

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 66; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review July 11, 2014; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 1,412 total, 1,200 in this make and model, 26 in the last 90 days, 0 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: variable at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 29.93 inHg
- Observed at: KGPI, 8 nm away

## 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 20150819013549A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150819013549A), Aug 19, 2015: Cessna 172N, Kalispell, MT, Substantial damage. On August 19, 2015 at approximately 1132 MST, a Cessna CE-172N, sustained substantial damage to the front landing gear, right and left wing tips, firewall and…

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 23, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91847. 1.7 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40434173&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF
- Photos (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 2 photos, 176 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40434174&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photos%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-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.

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