# NTSB IAD04LA034: Cessna 172N, N10DJ, Wellsboro, PA, July 4, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 4, 2004, 17:00 local (21:00 UTC) - Place: Wellsboro, PA - Coordinates: 41.727779, -77.396385 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.7278&lon=-77.3964&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 28, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 59763 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=IAD04LA034 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/59763/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD04LA034 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions and his failure to maintain directional control. A factor was the crosswind. ## Analysis The pilot entered the traffic pattern and executed a landing. After touchdown on runway 28, the airplane veered off the right side of the runway, then impacted a bail of hay, and came to a stop. According to a weather report from an airport 35 nautical miles northwest, the winds were from 160 degrees at 15 knots, gusting to 25 knots. ## Factual narrative On July 4, 2004, about 1700 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172N, N10DJ, was substantially damaged during landing at Grand Canyon Airport (N38), Wellsboro, Pennsylvania. The certificated private pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and the airplane was not operating on a flight plan. The personal flight, which departed Cherry Springs Airport (5G6), Galeton, Pennsylvania, at 1650, for Flying W Airport (N14), Lumberton, New Jersey, was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to a written statement submitted by the pilot, he obtained several weather briefings prior to departing from Cherry Springs. While en route, the weather began to deteriorate, so the pilot elected to land at Grand Canyon Airport. Prior to landing, the pilot circled the field to view the windsock and also spoke to another pilot on the radio regarding the wind speed and direction. The pilot entered the traffic pattern and executed a landing on runway 28. Due to the crosswind, he elected not to use full flaps. Upon touchdown, the pilot applied the brakes; however, "the crosswind picked up and ushered [the airplane] off the side of the runway." The airplane continued to slow on the grass strip adjacent the right side and parallel to the runway, then impacted an "unavoidable" bail of hay, and came to a stop. The pilot did not report any mechanical abnormalities with the airplane. The weather reported at Wellsville Municipal Airport (ELZ), Wellsville, New York, about 35 nautical miles northwest, at 1710, included winds from 160 degrees at 15 knots, gusting to 25 knots, 8 statute miles visibility, scattered clouds at 2,500 feet, broken clouds at 3,300 feet, broken clouds at 4,100 feet, temperature 75 degrees Fahrenheit, dew point 66 degrees Fahrenheit, and a barometric pressure of 29.86 inches of mercury. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll - object - other ## Aircraft - Registration: [N10DJ](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N10DJ), registered now, S/N 17272246, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172N - 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: 17272248 - Airframe hours: 3064.8 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-A4M 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Cave Flight School LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 16, 2004, 42.7 hours before - Departed: 5G6, Galeton, PA - Destination: N14, Lumberton, NJ - Airport: N38, Grand Canyon Airport, runway 28, 3,600 × 60 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 39; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, invalid medical for flight; last flight review August 4, 2004; seat: left; flight hours: 371 total, 200 in this make and model, 342 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 160° at 15 knots, gusting 25 - Visibility: 8 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 3,300 ft broken - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 66 °F - Altimeter: 29.86 inHg - Observed at: ELZ, 35 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 20040704022099A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040704022099A), Jul 4, 2004: Cessna 172N, Wellsboro, PA, Substantial damage. (-23) Received report from airport manager on July 6, 2004, of aircraft loss of control during landing on runway 28 during gusty wind conditions, on July 4,… 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.