# NTSB GAA19CA424: Cessna 172, N1079M, Grand Canyon, AZ, July 16, 2019 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 16, 2019, 10:30 local (17:30 UTC) - Place: Grand Canyon, AZ - Coordinates: 35.946666, -112.153335 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.9467&lon=-112.1533&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 4 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 2, 2019 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 99861 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA19CA424 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/99861/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99861 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA424 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain lateral control during landing in gusting wind conditions, which resulted in the left wing striking the ground. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: lateral/bank control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172L, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023/cases.md?model=2072432), [All aircraft, 390 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023/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 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) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; 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) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172L, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=2072432), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 172L, 21 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2072432), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, during approach to land, he corrected for a left crosswind. After crossing the threshold, he reduced power and as the airplane was about to touch down, it "rolled" left, and the left wing struck the runway. He added that the airplane immediately "righted itself" and that he then landed it. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. 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 36 minutes before the accident, the wind was from 210° at 11 knots, gusting to 19 knots. The same automated station reported that, about 24 minutes after the accident, the wind was from 210° at 17 knots, gusting to 25 knots, with a peak wind reported 3 minutes after the accident from 220° at 27 knots. The pilot landed the airplane on runway 21. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that, during approach to land, he corrected for a left crosswind. After crossing the threshold, he reduced power and as he was about to touch down, the airplane "rolled" to the left and the left wing struck the runway. The airplane immediately "righted itself" and he landed the airplane. He added that the runway strike caused a "minor misalignment" with the airplane. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. 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 36 minutes before the accident, the wind was from 210° at 11 knots, gusting to 19 knots. The same automated station reported that, about 24 minutes after the accident, the wind was from 210° at 17 knots, gusting to 25 knots, with a peak wind reported 3 minutes after the accident from 220° at 27 knots. The pilot landed the airplane on runway 21. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1079M](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1079M), registered now, S/N 17259802, 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: 17259802 - Year built: 1971 - Airframe hours: 14694 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-E2D 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: West Air Aviation - Registered owner: Unique Equipment Leasing Llc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility - Last inspection: Annual, June 28, 2019 - Departed: VGT, Las Vegas, NV - Destination: GCN, Grand Canyon, AZ - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: GCN, Grand Canyon National Park, runway 21, 8,999 × 150 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 71; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 15, 2018; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 379 total, 143 in this make and model, 287 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 210° at 17 knots, gusting 25 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 37 °F - Altimeter: 30.22 inHg - Observed at: KGCN ## 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 20190716011859A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20190716011859A), Jul 16, 2019: Cessna 172L, Grand Canyon, AZ, Substantial damage. The pilot departed the north las vegas airport (vgt) with three passengers to the Grand Canyon airport (gcn). Weather at the Grand Canyon airport was reported… ## Other investigations on N1079M (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 SEA07CA096](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA07CA096), Apr 7, 2007: Cessna 172L (N1079M), North Las Vegas, NV, substantial damage. Probable cause: The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. A contributing factor was the sign. ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 6, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99861. 5.0 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 4.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40475618&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 894 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40475619&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. --- 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.