# NTSB GAA19CA367: Cessna 172, N75903, Lebanon, KY, June 15, 2019 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 15, 2019, 10:00 local (14:00 UTC) - Place: Lebanon, KY - Coordinates: 37.633609, -85.241943 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.6336&lon=-85.2419&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: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report November 6, 2019 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 99696 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA19CA367 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/99696/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99696 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA367 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing in gusting crosswind conditions, which resulted in a runway excursion, impact with a ditch, and subsequent nose-over. ## 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 172N, 82 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2072434), [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 172N, 150 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072434), [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 172N, 28 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=2072434), [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 172N, 19 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/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 172N, 18 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=2072434), [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 172N, 81 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2072434), [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 172N, 81 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=2072434), [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 172N, 134 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2072434), [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 172N, 44 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, during the landing roll, the airplane encountered a "big gust of wind," and the airplane veered left. The airplane exited the runway, impacted a ditch, and nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, vertical stabilizer, and both wings. 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 10 minutes after the accident, the wind was from 190° at 10 knots, gusting to 18 knots. The pilot landed the airplane on runway 11. The calculated crosswind component was about 14 knots. The manufacturer's Pilot's Operating Handbook stated, "The maximum allowable crosswind velocity is dependent upon pilot capability as well as aircraft limitations. With average pilot technique, direct crosswinds of 15 knots can be handled with safety." ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that during the landing roll, the airplane encountered a "big gust of wind" and the airplane veered left. The airplane exited the runway, impacted a ditch and nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, vertical stabilizer, and both wings. 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 10 minutes after the accident, the wind was from 190° at 10 knots, gusting to 18 knots. The airplane landed on runway 11. The calculated crosswind component was about 14 knots. The manufacturer's pilot's operating handbook states, "The maximum allowable crosswind velocity is dependent upon pilot capability as well as aircraft limitations. With average pilot technique, direct crosswinds of 15 knots can be handled with safety." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N75903](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N75903-2021-02-27), registration cancelled 2021-02-27, S/N 17268027, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172 (N) - Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17268027 - Year built: 1976 - Airframe hours: 5956.8 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Lexington Flying Club - Registered owner: Lexington Flying Club - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, April 11, 2019 - Departed: 27K, Georgetown, KY - Destination: 6I2, Lebanon, KY - Airport: 6I2, Lebanon Springfield-George Hoe, runway 11, 5,001 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Auto-pilot ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 58; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review January 20, 2018; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 292 total, 292 in this make and model, 203 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 190° at 10 knots, gusting 18 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 30.04 inHg - Observed at: 6I2 ## 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 20190615007019A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20190615007019A), Jun 15, 2019: Cessna 172N, Springfield, KY, Substantial damage. On June 15, 2019 at approximately 10:04 EDT, the pilot of N75903 was attempting to land on runway 11 at Lebanon-Springfield Airport (6I2). The aircraft… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 24, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99696. 1.8 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 837 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40474475&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Record of Conversation (item 2, .PDF, 99 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40474476&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation-Master.PDF - Manufacturers Pilot's Operating Handbook (item 3, .PDF, 408 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40474477&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Manufacturers%20Pilot%27s%20Operating%20Handbook-Master.PDF - Accident Photos (item 4, .PDF, 3 photos, 419 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40474478&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.