# NTSB GAA17CA216: Cessna 172, N7547G, Twisp, WA, April 3, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: April 3, 2017, 14:45 local (21:45 UTC) - Place: Twisp, WA - Coordinates: 48.349445, -120.09111 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.3494&lon=-120.0911&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 17, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 94963 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA216 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/94963/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94963 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA216 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain crosswind correction during landing, which resulted in the airplane cartwheeling. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: crosswind correction](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062030): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172L, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062030/cases.md?model=2072432), [All aircraft, 184 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062030/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 172L, 24 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072432), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Wind: variable wind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034025): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Cessna 172L, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034025/cases.md?model=2072432), [All aircraft, 113 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034025/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Cessna 172L, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=2072432), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) - [Landing: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172L, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=2072432), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 172L, 21 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2072432), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, about 50 ft above the runway, a wind gust from the south caused the airplane to drift. The pilot added that she attempted to go around but was unsuccessful. The right wing impacted the ground, and the airplane cartwheeled. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. According to the pilot, the wind about the time of the accident was variable from 6° to 8°, gusting to between 10 and 12 knots. The airplane was landing on runway 28. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that, about 50 ft. above the runway, a gust of wind from the south caused the airplane to drift. The pilot added that, she attempted to go-around but was unsuccessful. The right wing impacted the ground and subsequently, the airplane cartwheeled. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. According to the pilot, the wind about the time of the accident was variable from 6° to 8°, wind gusts 10 to 12 knots. The airplane was landing on runway 28. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7547G](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7547G), registered now, S/N 17259247, built 1970 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172 (L) - Registry model: [Cessna 172L](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172l) (registry code 2072432) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17259247 - Year built: 1970 - Airframe hours: 5523.52 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-E2D 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Louise Bighouse - Registered owner: Christopher D. Zahn - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 23, 2016 - Departed: 2S0, Twisp, WA - Destination: 2S0, Twisp, WA - Airport: 2S0, Twisp Muni, runway 28, 2,701 × 36 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Unknown ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 57; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review September 21, 2016; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 190 total, 94 in this make and model, 190 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 350° at 9 knots, gusting 16 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 21 °F - Altimeter: 30.11 inHg - Observed at: KOMK, 24 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 20170403002269A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170403002269A), Apr 3, 2017: Cessna 172L, Twsip, WA, Substantial damage. Pilot stated the she was the PIC on the day of the aircraft accident. She stated that she had flown on Saturday and had refueled that airplane after that… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 14, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94963. 4.3 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40456174&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 816 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40456175&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo%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.