# NTSB IAD98LA025: Cessna 172K, N78222, Oxford, MA, February 1, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: February 1, 1998, 10:00 local (15:00 UTC) - Place: Oxford, MA - Location: 42.1159° N, 71.8701° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Oxford, MA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.1159&lon=-71.8701&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 22, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 28277 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=IAD98LA025 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/28277/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD98LA025 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - flare/touchdown - landing gear,nose gear - vibration - remedial action - excessive, pilot in command (contributing factor) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll - terrain condition - snowbank ## Analysis The pilot said that he applied back pressure to the yoke to reduce a nose wheel vibration during landing and the airplane began 'hopping.' The pilot also attempted to retract the flaps during the landing sequence in an effort to increase braking ability. During that time, the airplane drifted to the right, struck a snowbank, nosed over, and came to rest inverted. According to the pilot, 'The airplane drifted right and struck the snowbank, probably because I was reaching for the flaps.' The pilot had 100 hours of flight experience, 20 hours of which were in make and model. ## Factual narrative On February 1, 1998, at 1000 eastern standard time, a Cessna 172K, N78222, was substantially damaged after a loss of control during landing at the Oxford Airport (43M), Oxford, Massachusetts. The certificated private pilot and passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local personal flight that originated at 43M, at 0950. No flight plan had been filed for the flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot said he departed runway 02, completed a traffic pattern, and returned to land. He said the airplane touched down in the first one-third of the runway. The airplane then began to vibrate as soon as the nose wheel touched down. He attempted to reduce the vibration by applying back pressure to the yoke. He said that after applying back pressure, "...the airplane started hopping on me." The pilot said the airplane bounced twice after the initial touchdown. The pilot also attempted to retract the flaps during the landing sequence in an effort to increase braking ability. During that time, the airplane drifted to the right, struck a snowbank, nosed over, and came to rest inverted. According to the pilot, "The airplane drifted right and struck the snowbank, probably because I was reaching for the flaps." The pilot reported that there were no mechanical deficiencies with the airplane. When questioned about the performance of the airplane, the pilot said, "The aircraft was fine." He said he completed a preflight using the checklist prior to departure and did not notice anything unusual. According to a report from a Federal Aviation Administration Aviation Safety Inspector, "The nose wheel had very little air in it. However, it tested OK [at] 25 lbs. PSI." The pilot stated that when weather permitted, he flew on a weekly basis. He last flew 2 weeks prior to the accident flight and had accumulated approximately 100 hours of total flight experience. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N78222](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N78222-2002-06-26), registration cancelled 2002-06-26, S/N 17257535, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172K - Registry model: [Cessna 172K](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172k) (registry code 2072430) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17257535 - Airframe hours: 4819 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Johnson Aviation Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 15, 1997, 97 hours before - Departed: 43M - Airport: 43M, Oxford Airport, runway 2, 2,047 × 50 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 42; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 100 total, 20 in this make and model, 15 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 60° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 30 °F, dew point 16 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: ORH, 7 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 19980201002499A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980201002499A), Feb 1, 1998: Cessna 172K, Oxford, MA, Substantial damage. Nose gear vibration landing. Typical 172. Porpoised using back yoke. Lost control veered off rwy. Nosed over snowba (.4)the pilot said that he applied back… 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.