# NTSB GAA19CA192: Cessna 172, N902RA, Stephenville, TX, March 31, 2019 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: March 31, 2019, 10:15 local (15:15 UTC) - Place: Stephenville, TX - Coordinates: 32.215278, -98.17778 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.2153&lon=-98.1778&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-aborted after touchdown: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report November 6, 2019 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 99210 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA19CA192 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/99210/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99210 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA192 ## Probable cause The student pilot's improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing, and his subsequent failure to maintain directional control in gusting crosswind conditions that exceeded the airplane’s demonstrated crosswind for landing, which resulted in a runway excursion and nose-over. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [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 172L, 24 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072432), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: landing flare](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172L, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=2072432), [All aircraft, 1,285 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md) - [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 172L, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2072432), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172L, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=2072432), [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 (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172L, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=2072432), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md) - [Aircraft capability: maximum crosswind component](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061015): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Capability exceeded (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172L, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061015/cases.md?model=2072432), [All aircraft, 21 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061015/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: soft surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Cessna 172L, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020/cases.md?model=2072432), [All aircraft, 264 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092); cases with it: [Cessna 172L, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=2072432), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) - [Landing-aborted after touchdown: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172L, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2072432), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-aborted after touchdown: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Cessna 172L, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=2072432), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing-aborted after touchdown: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Cessna 172L, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=2072432), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The solo student pilot reported that, during landing, the airplane was configured with flaps 30° and that the airspeed was 70 knots. When the airplane was over the runway, he reduced the throttle to idle and initiated the landing flare. The airplane descended rapidly, landed hard, and bounced. He aborted the landing, "but the wind caught me and the next thing I knew, I was facing the taxiway." The airplane exited the left side of the runway into grass and nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing lift strut. The student reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The METAR at the airport reported that, at the time of the accident, the wind was from 050° at 12 knots, gusting to 20 knots. The pilot landed the airplane on runway 32. According to the manufacturer's Pilot's Operating Handbook, the maximum demonstrated crosswind is 15 knots. The crosswind component for the accident flight was 16 knots. ## Factual narrative The student pilot reported that during landing, the airplane was configured with flaps 30°, and the airspeed was 70 knots. When the airplane was over the runway, he reduced the throttle to idle and initiated the landing flare. The airplane descended rapidly, landed hard and bounced. He aborted the landing, "but the wind caught me and the next thing I knew, I was facing the taxiway." The airplane exited the left side of the runway and nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing lift strut. The METAR for the accident airport, reported that at the time of the accident, the wind was from 050° at 12 knots, and gusting to 20 knots. The pilot landed the airplane on runway 32. According to the manufacturer's Pilot Operating Handbook, the maximum demonstrated crosswind is 15 knots. The crosswind component for the accident flight was 16 knots. The student pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N902RA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N902RA-2021-05-08), registration cancelled 2021-05-08, S/N 17260190, built 1971 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172 (L) - Registry model: [Cessna 172L](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172l) (registry code 2072432) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17260190 - Year built: 1971 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Rich Aviation Services Llc - Registered owner: Rich Aviation Services Llc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, August 8, 2018 - Departed: WEA, Weatherford, TX - Destination: WEA, Weatherford, TX - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: SEP, Stephenville Clark Rgnl, runway 32, 4,209 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Student pilot; age 41; injuries: minor; student; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 42.2 total, 38.2 in this make and model, 6.1 as pilot in command, 10.1 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 50° at 12 knots, gusting 20 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 23 °F - Altimeter: 30.42 inHg - Observed at: KSEP ## 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 20190331002299A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20190331002299A), Mar 31, 2019: Cessna 172L, Stephenville, TX, Substantial damage. On March 31, 2019 at 1015 am, a student pilot was practicing his solo landings at Clark Field Airport (sep). His first attempt on runway 32 was a hard bounced… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 18, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99210. 3.5 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40474223&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Photo (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 157 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40474224&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo-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.