# NTSB LAX02LA199: Cessna 172M, N64307, Saint Johns, AZ, June 15, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 15, 2002, 11:00 local (18:00 UTC) - Place: Saint Johns, AZ - Coordinates: 34.518333, -109.378608 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.5183&lon=-109.3786&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 29, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 54959 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX02LA199 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/54959/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=54959 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX02LA199 ## Probable cause the pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions resulting in a loss of directional control and collision with terrain. Related factors were the wind gusts, crosswind and soft terrain. ## 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 - weather condition - gusts - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - crosswind - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - soft ## Analysis The airplane veered off the runway while attempting to land, and encountered soft soil, which damaged several structural elements. The pilot reported that he attempted to land on runway 21, but opted to perform a go-around because he could not obtain proper runway alignment. The Automated Surface Observation System and a fixed base operator attendant reported a shift in winds, and the pilot elected to land on runway 32. He configured the airplane with 5 degrees of flaps and prepared for landing. During approach, about 5 to 6 feet above ground level, the airplane experienced a loss of altitude and yawed to the left. During touchdown, the airplane veered off the left side of the runway. The pilot maneuvered the airplane back onto the runway and attempted to gain airspeed, in an effort to takeoff. The airplane veered off the right side of the runway and he reduced the power to idle. The airplane continued down a dirt hill, and came to rest after the nose wheel dug into soft terrain. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane. Winds at the airport were reportedly blowing from 250 degrees at 20 knots, with gusts up to 26 knots. ## Factual narrative On June 15, 2002, about 1100 mountain standard time, a Cessna 172M, N64307, veered off the runway while attempting to land at St. John's Industrial Air Park (SJN), St. Johns, Arizona. The airplane encountered soft soil and damaged several structural elements. The pilot/owner was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The private pilot and pilot-rated passenger were not injured; the airplane sustained substantial damage. The personal cross-country flight departed Albuquerque International Sunport Airport, Albuquerque, New Mexico, about 1030 mountain daylight time, with a planned destination of SJN. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a visual flight rules flight plan had been filed. In a written statement, the pilot reported that he attempted to land on runway 21, but opted to perform a go-around because he could not obtain proper runway alignment. The Automated Surface Observation System and a fixed base operator attendant reported a shift in winds, and the pilot elected to land on runway 32. He configured the airplane with 5 degrees of flaps and prepared for landing. During approach, about 5 to 6 feet above ground level, the airplane experienced a loss of altitude and yawed to the left. During touchdown, the airplane veered off the left side of the runway. The pilot maneuvered the airplane back onto the runway and attempted to gain airspeed, in an effort to takeoff. The airplane veered off the right side of the runway and he reduced the power to idle. The airplane continued down a dirt hill, and came to rest after the nose wheel dug into soft terrain. The airplane incurred damage to the right wing, nose ribs, and firewall sheets. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane. An aviation routine weather report (METAR) for SJN at 1054 reported winds from 250 degrees at 20 knots, with gusts up to 26 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N64307](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N64307), registered now, S/N 17265157, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172M - Registry model: [Cessna 172M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172m) (registry code 2072418) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 1726157 - Airframe hours: 6247.7 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-A4M 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: John F. Courtright - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 14, 2001, 130.2 hours before - Departed: ABQ, Albuquerque, NM - Destination: SJN, Saint Johns, AZ - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: KSJN, St. John's Industrial Air Park, runway 32, 5,322 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 68; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review November 19, 2001; seat: right; flight hours: 1,504 total, 1,300 in this make and model, 1,400 as pilot in command, 46 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours - Co-pilot; age 49; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review July 7, 2001; seat: left; flight hours: 121 total, 121 in this make and model, 73 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 14 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 250° at 20 knots, gusting 26 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 25 °F - Altimeter: 30.12 inHg - Observed at: SJN ## 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 20020615015149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020615015149A), Jun 15, 2002: Cessna 172M, St Johns, AZ, No damage. (.19) On June 15, 2002, at 1200 mountain standard time, a Cessna 172, N64307, veered off the runway during landing and collided with an embankment at the saint… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 26, 2004, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=54959. 381 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 381 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40445556&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.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.