# NTSB GAA19CA267: Cessna 172, N5788R, Manvel, TX, May 15, 2019 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 15, 2019, 13:00 local (18:00 UTC) - Place: Manvel, TX - Coordinates: 29.479166, -95.326667 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.4792&lon=-95.3267&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: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report March 3, 2020 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 99436 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA19CA267 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/99436/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99436 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA267 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing with a crosswind, which resulted in impact with a ditch. ## 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 (probable cause); 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) - [Object/animal/substance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172G, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022000/cases.md?model=2072420), [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: 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: 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: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 172G, 21 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2072420), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Landing: 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 landing on a wet, grass runway, the airplane suddenly veered right. The airplane exited the runway and impacted a water-filled drainage ditch. Subsequently, the airplane came to rest inverted. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the aft fuselage, vertical stabilizer, and left wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that, while landing on a wet, grass runway, the airplane suddenly veered to the right. The airplane exited the runway and impacted a water filled drainage ditch. Subsequently, the airplane come to rest inverted. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the aft fuselage, vertical stabilizer, and left wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot reported that the wind was from 100° at 15 to 17 knots and gusting. An automated weather observation station located 5 miles northeast of the airport reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 090° at 12 knots, gusting to 18 knots. The airplane was landing runway 02. The airplane owner's manual states, "The maximum allowable crosswind velocity is dependent upon pilot capability rather than airplane limitations. With average pilot technique, direct crosswinds of 15 MPH can be handled with safety." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5788R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5788R-2019-09-09), registration cancelled 2019-09-09, S/N 17253457, built 1965 (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: 17253457 - Year built: 1965 - Airframe hours: 4481.8 - Engines: Lycoming O-300D 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 15, 2019 - Departed: 3T2, Manvel, TX - Destination: 3T2, Manvel, TX - Airport: 3T2, Wolfe Air Park, runway 02, 2,910 × 80 ft, grass/turf - Equipment: ADS-B, Stall warning system, Electronic flight bag or handheld device ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 72; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: basicmed; last flight review April 30, 2018; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 816 total, 80 in this make and model, 733 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 90° at 12 knots, gusting 18 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 61 °F - Altimeter: 30.04 inHg - Observed at: KLVJ, 5 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 20190515004669A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20190515004669A), May 15, 2019: Cessna 172G, Manvel, TX, Substantial damage. During the interview of the airman, he stated that he was landing on runway 02 with a 17 knots crosswind from right side. He stated that the runway has high… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 10, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99436. 1.4 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 883 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40473310&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Airplane POH excerpt (item 2, .PDF, 63 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40473311&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Airplane%20POH%20excerpt-Master.PDF - Accident Photos (item 3, .PDF, 4 photos, 426 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40473312&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photos-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.