# NTSB IAD05CA037: Cessna 172P, N54812, Cross Keys, NJ, February 7, 2005 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: February 7, 2005, 13:25 local (18:25 UTC) - Place: Cross Keys, NJ - Coordinates: 40.298702, -74.520118 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.2987&lon=-74.5201&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 28, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 60974 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=IAD05CA037 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/60974/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD05CA037 ## Probable cause The pilots failure to maintain directional control. Factors contributing to the accident were the pilots lack of experience, and the snow bank. ## 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 - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - snowbank (contributing factor) ## Analysis The accident took place during the pilot's first supervised solo. The pilot was performing takeoffs and landings on runway 9. The first landing was without incident. During the second landing, the airplane departed the left side of the runway, struck a snow bank, yawed to the left, then nosed over. The pilot stated that the seat was lower in this airplane, than the airplane he had performed his previous training in, and he could not see the runway during the flare. He did not realize the airplane's proximity to the left side of the runway, since he was looking to the right at the taxiway, from which he planned to exit the runway. A post accident inspection of the airplane noted that it had sustained substantial damage. No pre-accident mechanical malfunctions were discovered and control continuity was verified. At the time of the accident the student pilot had accumulated 12.3 hours of total flight time, all of which were in make and model. The reported winds 13 nautical miles northwest, at 1254, were from 110 degrees at 3 knots. ## Factual narrative On February 7, 2005, at 1325 eastern standard time, A Cessna 172P, N54812, was substantially damaged while landing at the Cross Keys Airport (17N), Cross Keys, New Jersey. The certificated student pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local instructional flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to the student pilot's flight instructor, the accident took place during the pilot's first supervised solo. The pilot was performing takeoffs and landings on runway 9. The first landing was without incident. During the second landing, the airplane departed the left side of the runway, struck a snow bank, yawed to the left, then nosed over. During a telephone interview, the pilot stated that the seat was lower in this airplane, then the airplane he had performed his previous training in, and he could not see the runway during the flare. He did not realize the airplane's proximity to the left side of the runway, since he was looking to the right at the taxiway, from which he planned to exit the runway. A post accident inspection of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector and the maintenance provider noted that the airplane had sustained damage to the wings, propeller, vertical stabilizer and the left wing strut. No pre-accident mechanical malfunctions were discovered and control continuity was verified. At the time of the accident the student pilot had accumulated 12.3 hours total flight time, all of which were in make and model. The reported winds at the Philadelphia International Airport (PHL), Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, located 13 nautical miles northwest, at 1254, were from 110 degrees at 3 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N54812](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N54812), registered now, S/N 17275056 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172P - Registry model: [Cessna 172P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172p) (registry code 2072436) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17275056 - Airframe hours: 12311 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-D2J 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Philadelphia Flight Academy, LLC. - Registered owner: Aerolease of America - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, October 22, 2004, 74 hours before - Departed: 17N, Cross Keys, NJ - Destination: 17N, Cross Keys, NJ - Airport: 17N, Cross Keys Airport, runway 9, 3,500 × 50 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Student pilot; age 28; injuries: none; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 12 total, 12 in this make and model, 12 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 110° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken - Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 19 °F - Altimeter: 30.32 inHg - Observed at: PHL, 13 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 20050207032289A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050207032289A), Feb 7, 2005: Cessna 172P, Cross Keys, NJ, Substantial damage. (-23) The student pilot was performing his first solo on runway 9. He had conducted one takeoff and one landing prior to the accident. After a full stop… 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.