# NTSB GAA17CA380: Cessna 172, N4482L, Tucson, AZ, July 2, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 2, 2017, 13:30 local (20:30 UTC) - Place: Tucson, AZ - Coordinates: 32.144443, -111.172225 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.1444&lon=-111.1722&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 7, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 95488 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA380 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/95488/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95488 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA380 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain pitch and yaw control during the landing roll in crosswind conditions. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: pitch control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172G, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022/cases.md?model=2072420), [All aircraft, 526 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022/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 172G, 16 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072420), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: yaw control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062024): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172G, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062024/cases.md?model=2072420), [All aircraft, 149 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062024/cases.md) - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Cessna 172G, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=2072420), [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: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172G, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2072420), [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 172G, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=2072420), [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 172G, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=2072420), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, during the landing roll, the airplane pitched up and yawed to the right because of a "dust devil." He added that he applied full power but was unable to maintain level flight and that the right wing then the left wing struck the runway. The airplane touched down, the nose landing gear collapsed, and the airplane slid about 60 to 70 ft. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. A review of recorded data from the automated weather observation station located on the airport reported that, about 40 minutes before the accident, the wind was from 300° at 9 knots, gusting to 16 knots. The same automated weather observation station reported that, about 15 minutes after the accident, the wind was from 220° at 9 knots. The airplane landed on runway 24R. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that, during the landing roll, the airplane pitched up and yawed to the right because of a "dust devil". He added that he applied full power, but was unable to maintain level flight, and the right wing then the left wing struck the runway. The airplane touched down, collapsing the nose landing gear, and the airplane slid about 60 to 70 ft. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. A review of recorded data from the automated weather observation station, located on the airport, reported that about 40 minutes before the accident the wind was from 300° at 9 knots, gusting 16 knots. The same automated weather observation station reported that about 15 minutes after the accident the wind was from 220° at 9 knots. The airplane landed on runway 24R. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4482L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4482L-2017-12-07), registration cancelled 2017-12-07, S/N 17254577, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172 (G) - Registry model: [Cessna 172G](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172g) (registry code 2072420) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17254577 - Year built: 1966 - Airframe hours: 3609.37 - Engines: CONT MOTOR O-300 SER 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, December 31, 2016 - Departed: RYN, Tucson, AZ - Destination: RYN, Tucson, AZ - Airport: RYN, Ryan Field, runway 24R, 4,900 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Stall warning system, Handheld GPS, Electronic flight bag or handheld device ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 64; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review October 27, 2016; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 339 total, 339 in this make and model, 339 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 220° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 102 °F, dew point 43 °F - Altimeter: 30.03 inHg - Observed at: KRYN ## 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 20170702008809A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170702008809A), Jul 2, 2017: Cessna 172G, Tucson, AZ, Substantial damage. Aircraft encountered dust devil just as it landed. Aircraft struck both wingtips, propeller struck ground and collapsed the nose gear. ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 15, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95488. 928 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 811 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40455265&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 117 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40455266&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo-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.