# NTSB GAA17CA186: Cessna 172, N5440H, Hillsboro, OR, March 12, 2017

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: March 12, 2017, 14:50 local (21:50 UTC)
- Place: Hillsboro, OR
- Coordinates: 45.428333, -122.942222 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.4283&lon=-122.9422&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 June 7, 2017
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 94862
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA186
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/94862/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94862
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA186

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll in quartering tailwind conditions.

## 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 172M, 123 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072418), [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 172M, 59 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md)
- [Terrain: wet/muddy terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021035): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021035/cases.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 110 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021035/cases.md)
- [Wind: tailwind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Response/compensation; cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 594 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/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 172M, 20 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=2072418), [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 172M, 61 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2072418), [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 172M, 51 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md)
- [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 33 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that, during the landing roll with a "light quartering tailwind," the airplane veered off the runway to the left into soft mud and nosed over. The vertical stabilizer and rudder sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The nearest automated weather observation station, located 7 nautical miles from the accident airport, about the time of the accident, recorded variable wind at 5 knots. The pilot reported that he landed on runway 2.

## Factual narrative

The pilot reported that during the landing roll with a "light quartering tailwind," the airplane veered off the runway to the left into soft mud and nosed over. The vertical stabilizer and rudder sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The nearest automated weather observation station 7 nautical miles from the accident airport, about the time of the accident, recorded variable wind at 5 knots. The pilot reported that he landed on runway 2.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5440H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5440H-2017-09-27), registration cancelled 2017-09-27, S/N 17265438, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172 (M)
- Registry model: [Cessna 172M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172m) (registry code 2072418) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17265438
- Year built: 1975
- Airframe hours: 15902
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D2G 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Twin Oaks Airpark Inc
- Registered owner: Twin Oaks Airpark Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, January 9, 2017
- Departed: 7S3, Hillsboro, OR
- Destination: 7S3, Hillsboro, OR
- Airport: 7S3, Stark'S Twin Oaks Airpark, runway 2, 2,480 × 48 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: ADS-B

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review February 12, 2017; seat: left; restraint: 5-point; flight hours: 85 total, 13 in this make and model, 16 as pilot in command, 24 in the last 90 days, 6.3 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: variable at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 30.25 inHg
- Observed at: KHIO, 7 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 20170312002079A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170312002079A), Mar 12, 2017: Cessna 172M, Hillsboro, OR, Substantial damage. Immediately following touch down the aircraft veered left departing the runway surface approx. 600 feet north of the threshold. The aircraft continued for…

## Other investigations on N5440H (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 SEA04LA096](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA04LA096), May 29, 2004: Cessna 172M (N5440H), Vernonia, OR, substantial damage. Probable cause: The instructor pilot's misjudgment of speed and distance and his failure to execute a go-around resulting in an overrun of the runway.

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 10, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94862. 738 KB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 612 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40452064&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF
- Accident Photos (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 3 photos, 126 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40452065&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.

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