# NTSB GAA18CA005: Cessna 172, N9664Q, Black River Falls, WI, October 8, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 8, 2017, 14:15 local (19:15 UTC) - Place: Black River Falls, WI - Coordinates: 44.251945, -90.851387 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.2519&lon=-90.8514&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: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 15, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 96161 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA005 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/96161/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96161 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA005 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during landing in gusting crosswind conditions. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [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) - [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) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 26 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 19 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=2072418), [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: 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: 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: 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: 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 landing in a gusting crosswind, the airplane landed on the left wheel first. He added that "all of a sudden it was like a huge gust of wind took the plane and just threw it to the right." The propeller struck the runway, and the airplane then exited the runway to the right and came to rest inverted. 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 revealed that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 190° at 9 knots, gusting to 17 knots. The airplane landed on runway 26. The Pilot's Operating Handbook contained a section titled, "Crosswind Landing," which stated, in part: "The maximum allowable crosswind velocity is dependent upon pilot capability rather than aircraft limitations. With average pilot technique, direct crosswinds of 15 knots can be handled with safety." ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that, during landing in a gusting crosswind, the airplane landed on the left wheel first. He added that "all of a sudden it was like a huge gust of wind took the plane and just threw it to the right". The propeller struck the runway; the airplane exited the runway to the right and came to rest inverted. 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 the time of the accident, the wind was from 190° at 9 knots, gusting 17 knots. The airplane landed on runway 26. The pilot's operating handbook contains a section titled "Crosswind Landing". It stated in part: "The maximum allowable crosswind velocity is dependent upon pilot capability rather than aircraft limitations. With average pilot technique, direct crosswinds of 15 knots can be handled with safety." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9664Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9664Q-2018-07-03), registration cancelled 2018-07-03, S/N 17265748, 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: 17265748 - Year built: 1975 - Airframe hours: 5979.3 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility - Last inspection: 100 hour, May 10, 2017 - Departed: MFI, MARSHFIELD, WI - Destination: BCK, Black River Falls, WI - Airport: BCK, Black River Falls Area, runway 26, 4,601 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Stall warning system, Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 45; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review March 10, 2017; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 103 total, 35.9 as pilot in command, 20.3 in the last 90 days, 4.3 in the last 30 days, 0.5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 190° at 9 knots, gusting 17 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 29.63 inHg - Observed at: KBCK ## 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 20171008014489A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20171008014489A), Oct 8, 2017: Cessna 172M, Black River Fal, WI, Substantial damage. On October 8, 2017 at approximately 1500 LCL while on the landing rollout on runway 26 at Black River Falls Area Airport (kbck), N9664Q a CE-172M departed the… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 27, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96161. 1.4 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 944 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40458380&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - C172M POH Excerpt (item 2, .PDF, 302 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40458381&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=C172M%20POH%20Excerpt-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (Courtesy of FAA) (item 3, .PDF, 1 photo, 190 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40458382&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.