# NTSB GAA19CA225: Cessna 172, N6023V, Scottsdale, AZ, April 20, 2019

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: April 20, 2019, 09:00 local (16:00 UTC)
- Place: Scottsdale, AZ
- Coordinates: 33.620277, -111.915275 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.6203&lon=-111.9153&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: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 6, 2019
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 99321
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA19CA225
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/99321/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99321
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA225

## Probable cause

The pilot's improper rudder inputs and failure to maintain directional control during landing with a crosswind, which resulted in a runway excursion and impact with a runway sign.

## 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, 3,969 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md)
- [Flight control system: rudder control system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022720): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172S, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022720/cases.md?model=2072439), [All aircraft, 93 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022720/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, 9,308 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172S, 14 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=2072439), [All aircraft, 1,397 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md)
- [Wind: tailwind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172S, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md?model=2072439), [All aircraft, 594 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md)
- [Object/animal/substance: sign/marker](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172S, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022015/cases.md?model=2072439), [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: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172S, 77 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2072439), [All aircraft, 4,590 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md)
- [Landing: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Cessna 172S, 22 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=2072439), [All aircraft, 1,428 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md)
- [Landing: 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, 3,656 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 172S, 117 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2072439), [All aircraft, 10,154 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that he landed the airplane right of the runway centerline and that it then continued to drift right. He added right rudder, and the airplane continued to the right. He said that he "over-corrected back." The airplane subsequently exited the runway to the right and impacted a runway sign. The pilot taxied to parking without further incident. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right elevator. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The airport's automated weather observation station reported that, about 7 minutes before the accident, the wind was from 150° at 6 knots. The pilot landed the airplane on runway 03.

## Factual narrative

The pilot reported that he landed right of the runway centerline and the airplane continued to drift right. He added "right rudder" and the airplane continued to the right. He "over-corrected and over-corrected back", the airplane exited the runway to the right, and impacted a runway sign. He taxied to parking without further incident. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right elevator. 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 the airport reported that, about 7 minutes before the accident, the wind was from 150° at 6 knots. The pilot landed the airplane on runway 03.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6023V](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6023V), registered now, S/N 172S10198, built 2006 (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 IO-360-L2A](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-360-l2a) (registry code 41597, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 172S10198
- Year built: 2006
- Airframe hours: 6665.5
- Engines: Lycoming IO-360-L2A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Scottsdale Executive Flight Training LLC
- Registered owner: Carefree Cessna Llc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, March 20, 2019
- Departed: IWA, Phoenix, AZ
- Destination: SDL, Scottsdale, AZ
- Airport: SDL, Scottsdale, runway 03, 8,249 × 100 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Electronic multifunction display, Auto-pilot, Onboard weather, Electronic primary flight display

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 7, 2017; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 210 total, 175 in this make and model, 119 as pilot in command, 13 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 28 °F
- Altimeter: 29.85 inHg
- Observed at: KSDL

## 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 20190420010869A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20190420010869A), Apr 20, 2019: Cessna 172S, Scottsdale, AZ, Substantial damage. On April 20, 2019, N6023V, Cessna 172S veered off the runway upon touchdown and hit a sign damaging the right elevator and horizontal stabilizer. The sole…

## Other investigations on N6023V (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 GAA16CA187](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA187), Mar 6, 2016: Cessna 172 (N6023V), Scottsdale, AZ, substantial damage. Probable cause: The failure of the student pilot to maintain pitch control while landing, which resulted in a hard landing, loss of directional control, and runway excursion.

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 13, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99321. 807 KB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 641 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40472819&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF
- Accident Photo (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 166 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40472820&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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