# NTSB GAA16CA413: Cessna 172, N84371, Cross Keys, NJ, August 3, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 3, 2016, 08:45 local (12:45 UTC) - Place: Cross Keys, NJ - Coordinates: 40.29858, -74.521896 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.2986&lon=-74.5219&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern final: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report September 12, 2016 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 93755 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA16CA413 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/93755/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93755 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA413 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain lateral bank control during final approach, which resulted with an impact with a tree and substantial damage to the left and right wings. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: lateral/bank control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172K, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023/cases.md?model=2072430), [All aircraft, 390 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172K, 33 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072430), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Cessna 172K, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=2072430), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172K, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=2072430), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Course deviation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/281); cases with it: [Cessna 172K, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/281/sequence.md?model=2072430), [All aircraft, 52 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/281/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 172K, 33 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2072430), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that during the final approach to land, about 200 feet prior to the runway threshold, he turned his attention to the airspeed indicator and "must have turned the yoke to the left". Subsequently, the airplane drifted to the left and impacted a tree with the left wing about 10-12 feet off the ground. The airplane spun to the left and impacted terrain. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left and right wings. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that during the final approach to land, about 200 feet prior to the runway threshold, he turned his attention to the airspeed indicator and "must have turned the yoke to the left". Subsequently, the airplane drifted to the left and impacted a tree with the left wing about 10-12 feet off the ground. The airplane spun to the left and impacted terrain. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left and right wings. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N84371](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N84371-2018-06-01), registration cancelled 2018-06-01, S/N 17258445, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172 (K) - Registry model: [Cessna 172K](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172k) (registry code 2072430) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17258445 - Year built: 1969 - Airframe hours: 5526.9 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E20 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 18, 2016 - Departed: NJ25, CLARKSBORO, NJ - Destination: 17N, Cross Keys, NJ - Airport: 17N, Cross Keys, runway 09, 3,500 × 50 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Onboard weather, Stall warning system, Handheld GPS, Auto-pilot, ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 73; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 19, 2016; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 1,831 total, 1,238 in this make and model, 8 in the last 90 days, 1.7 in the last 30 days, 0.3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 60° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 30.15 inHg - Observed at: KPHL, 13 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 20160803013299A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160803013299A), Aug 3, 2016: Cessna 172K, Williamstown, NJ, Substantial damage. Aircraft was on approach to runway 9. At approximately 150 feet from the end of the runway, and approximately 50 feet to the left of the edge of the runway the… ## Other investigations on N84371 (1) 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. - [NTSB NYC70D0062](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC70D0062), Jul 14, 1969: Cessna 172 (N84371), Montgomeryvile, PA, substantial damage ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 30, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93755. 1.2 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 421 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40443986&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Memorandum for Record - Telephone Interview, Pilot (item 2, .PDF, 124 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40443987&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20-%20Telephone%20Interview,%20Pilot-Master.PDF - Accident Photos (Courtesy of FAA) (item 3, .PDF, 2 photos, 655 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40443988&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photos%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. --- 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.