# NTSB GAA18CA170: Cessna 172, N1103F, Vernon, TX, March 19, 2018

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: March 18, 2018, 22:15 local (Mar 19, 2018, 03:15 UTC)
- Place: Vernon, TX
- Coordinates: 34.225276, -99.283058 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.2253&lon=-99.2831&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: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 5, 2018
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 96897
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA170
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/96897/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96897
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA170

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control while landing in gusty 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 172G, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2072420), [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 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)
- [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)
- [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Cessna 172G, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=2072420), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md)
- [Light condition: dark](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036020): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Cessna 172G, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036020/cases.md?model=2072420), [All aircraft, 448 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036020/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 172G, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=2072420), [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 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: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Cessna 172G, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=2072420), [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 172G, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=2072420), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that, while conducting touch-and-go landings in the local pattern at night, the wind increased and began to gust during the third approach. He added that, he applied full power and performed a go-around. During the next landing, the airplane touched down, and the wind "increased and shifted" to the right. Subsequently, the airplane exited the left side of the runway and came to rest inverted. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings, the windshield, and the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The automated weather observation system located at the accident airport reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 230° at 19 knots, gusting to 23 knots. The pilot landed on runway 20.

## Factual narrative

The pilot reported that, while conducting touch-and-go landings in the local pattern at night, the wind increased and began to gust during the third approach. He added that, he applied full power and performed a go-around. During the next landing, the airplane touched down, and the wind "increased and shifted" to the right. Subsequently, the airplane exited the left side of the runway and came to rest inverted. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings, the windshield, and the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The automated weather observation system located at the accident airport reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 230° at 19 knots, gusting to 23 knots. The pilot landed on runway 20.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1103F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1103F-2019-05-20), registration cancelled 2019-05-20, S/N 17254698, 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: 17254698
- Year built: 1966
- Airframe hours: 3750
- Engines: CONT MOTOR O-300 SER 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 2017
- Departed: F05, Vernon, TX
- Destination: F05, Vernon, TX
- Airport: F05, Wilbarger County, runway 20, 5,099 × 100 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: Stall warning system

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review January 27, 2018; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 335 total, 108 in this make and model, 120 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night
- Wind: 230° at 19 knots, gusting 23
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,800 ft broken
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 27 °F
- Altimeter: 29.57 inHg
- Observed at: KF05

## 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 20180318009659A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180318009659A), Mar 18, 2018: Cessna 172G, Vernon, TX, Substantial damage. On March 18, 2018, at approximately 2220 CDT, N1103F, a Cessna CE-172G registered to a private owner, landed on runway 20 at Wilbarger County Airport (F05)…

## Other investigations on N1103F (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 FTW88DPJ06](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW88DPJ06), Jun 9, 1988: Cessna 172G (N1103F), Frederick, OK, substantial damage

## Docket (1 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 16, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96897. 654 KB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 654 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40463225&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-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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