# NTSB GAA18CA505: Cessna 172, N419SP, Churchville, MD, August 23, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 23, 2018, 11:00 local (15:00 UTC) - Place: Churchville, MD - Coordinates: 39.566944, -76.202499 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.5669&lon=-76.2025&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 20, 2020 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 98146 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA505 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/98146/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98146 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA505 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control after landing left of the runway centerline, which resulted in a runway excursion and impact with a power box. ## 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 172S, 66 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2072439), [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 172S, 206 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072439), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172S, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022000/cases.md?model=2072439), [All aircraft, 224 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022000/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: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090); cases with it: [Cessna 172S, 77 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=2072439), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) - [Landing-aborted after touchdown: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230); cases with it: [Cessna 172S, 77 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2072439), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172S, 76 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=2072439), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing-aborted after touchdown: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Cessna 172S, 76 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=2072439), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing-aborted after touchdown: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 172S, 118 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2072439), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, during landing, on short final, he "corrected the approach with a crab for a crosswind landing," and the airplane touched down on the first third of the runway "slightly fast" and left of the runway centerline. During the landing roll, the airplane gradually veered left and exited the runway. The pilot applied full power and initiated a go-around, but the airplane continued left and struck a power box. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right-wing lift strut and right horizontal stabilizer. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. An automated weather observation station located on an airport about 6 nautical miles away from the accident site reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was variable at 4 knots. The pilot reported that the wind was from the north and between about 10 and 15 knots. The pilot landed the airplane on runway 28. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that during landing, on short final, he "corrected the approach with a crab for a crosswind landing," and the airplane touchdown on the 1st third of the runway "slightly fast" and left of runway centerline. During the landing roll, the airplane gradually veered left and exited the runway. The pilot applied full power and initiated a go around, but the airplane continued left and struck a power box. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right-wing lift strut and right horizontal stabilizer. 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 station located on an airport about 6 nm away, reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from variable° at 4 knots. The pilot reported that the wind was from the north, about 10-15 knots. The airplane landed on runway 28. As requested, the pilot did not submit the National Transportation Safety Board Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident/Incident Report Form 6120.1. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N419SP](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N419SP-2019-10-25), registration cancelled 2019-10-25, S/N 172S8350, built 2000 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172 (S) - Registry model: [Cessna 172S](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172s) (registry code 2072439) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 SER A&C](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-ser-a-c) (registry code 41511, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 172S8350 - Year built: 2000 - Engines: Lycoming IO360 SER A&C reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: C K Leasing Servics Llc - Registered owner: C K Leasing Servics Llc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Departed: 0W3, Churchville, MD - Destination: 0W3, Churchville, MD - Airport: 0W3, Harford County, runway 28, 2,000 × 40 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Unknown ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 64; injuries: none; remote, private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review September 9, 2016; flight hours: 503 total, 350 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 360° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 30.06 inHg - Observed at: KAPG, 6 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 20180823012139A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180823012139A), Aug 23, 2018: Cessna 172S, Churchville, MD, Substantial damage. The aircraft landed after airwork practice. There was a 10 gusting 15 knot direct crosswind from the right. The aircraft drifted left and the pilot made a late… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 5, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98146. 311 KB in all. - Record of Conversation - Pilot (item 1, .PDF, 70 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40478623&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20-%20Pilot-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 165 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40478624&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo-Master.PDF - Pilot Statement (item 3, .PDF, 75 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40478625&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Statement-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.