# NTSB GAA18CA433: Cessna 172, N99243, Colorado Springs, CO, July 22, 2018

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: July 22, 2018, 11:30 local (17:30 UTC)
- Place: Colorado Springs, CO
- Coordinates: 38.940555, -104.568611 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.9406&lon=-104.5686&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 March 18, 2019
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 97853
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA433
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/97853/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97853
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA433

## Probable cause

The student 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 172P, 28 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2072436), [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 · Student/instructed pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172P, 76 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072436), [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 172P, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=2072436), [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 172P, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=2072436), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md)
- [Object/animal/substance: sign/marker](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Cessna 172P, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022015/cases.md?model=2072436), [All aircraft, 214 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022015/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 172P, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=2072436), [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 172P, 37 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2072436), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md)
- [Landing: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Cessna 172P, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=2072436), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md)
- [Landing: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Cessna 172P, 29 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=2072436), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md)
- [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 172P, 45 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2072436), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The student pilot reported that, during a check ride and a short-field landing in gusting crosswind conditions, the touchdown was normal, but the airplane quickly veered right. He added that he and the designated pilot examiner applied left rudder to no avail. The airplane exited the runway to the right, the right main landing gear struck a taxiway sign, and the airplane came to rest in the grass adjacent to the taxiway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right horizontal stabilizer. The Federal Aviation Administration inspector conducted a postaccident examination. He reported that the rudder system appeared normal and functioned properly. He added that there were no pre-existing mechanical conditions that could have caused the accident. The automated weather observation station located on the airport reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 50° at 11 knots, gusting to 21 knots. The airplane landed on runway 33.

## Factual narrative

The student pilot reported that, during a check ride, during a short field landing in gusting crosswind conditions, the touchdown was normal, but the airplane quickly veered to the right. He added that, he and the designated pilot examiner applied left rudder to no avail. The airplane exited the runway to the right, the right main landing gear struck a taxiway sign, and the airplane came to rest in the grass adjacent to the taxiway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right horizontal stabilizer. The Federal Aviation Administration inspector conducted a postaccident examination. He reported that the rudder system appeared normal and functioned properly. He added that there were no pre-existing mechanical conditions that could have caused the accident. The automated weather observation station located on the airport reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 50° at 11 knots, gusting to 21 knots. The airplane landed on runway 33. The airplane information manual stated that the maximum demonstrated crosswind is 15 knots.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N99243](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N99243), registered now, S/N 17276418, built 1985 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Cessna 172 (P)
- Registry model: [Cessna 172P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172p) (registry code 2072436) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17276418
- Year built: 1985
- Engines: Lycoming O-320-D2J 160 hp reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, July 8, 2018
- Departed: FLY, Colorado Springs, CO
- Destination: FLY, Colorado Springs, CO
- Airport: FLY, Meadow Lake, runway 33, 6,000 × 60 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: Stall warning system

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Student pilot; age 65; injuries: none; student; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 130 total, 108 in this make and model, 36 as pilot in command, 21 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours
- Check pilot; age 74; injuries: none; airline transport, flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; seat: right; restraint: 3-point

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 50° at 11 knots, gusting 21
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 30.30 inHg
- Observed at: KFLY

## 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 20180722017579A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180722017579A), Jul 22, 2018: Cessna 172P, Peyton, CO, Substantial damage. While practicing a short field landing, on runway 33, the aircraft veered to the right after touchdown. Both the student pilot and DPE applied left rudder in…

## Docket (5 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 12, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97853. 5.2 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 4.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40467369&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF
- Designated Pilot Examiner's Statement (item 2, .PDF, 90 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40467370&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Designated%20Pilot%20Examiner%27s%20Statement-Master.PDF
- Record of Conversation - FAA Inspector (item 3, .PDF, 68 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40467371&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20-%20FAA%20Inspector-Master.PDF
- Airplane Manual Excerpt (item 4, .PDF, 49 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40467372&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Airplane%20Manual%20Excerpt-Master.PDF
- Accident Photo (item 5, .PDF, 690 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40467373&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.

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