# NTSB LAX04CA250: Cessna 172S, N35389, Glendale, AZ, June 26, 2004

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: June 26, 2004, 12:32 local (19:32 UTC)
- Place: Glendale, AZ
- Coordinates: 33.526943, -112.29528
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.5269&lon=-112.2953&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 1, 2004
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: Federal Aviation Inspector
- NTSB case key (mKey): 59522
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX04CA250
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/59522/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04CA250

## Probable cause

the pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane, which resulted in a veer off the runway and collision with 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 - roll
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment

## Analysis

The airplane veered off the runway during the landing roll.  The airplane touched down at a normal airspeed and was properly aligned on the runway's centerline.  After touchdown, the airplane's right wing lifted up.  While attempting to correct the wing's position, the student pilot lost control of the airplane.  The airplane veered off the runway and collided with two hilocks.  The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane.

## Factual narrative

On June 26, 2004, at 1232 mountain standard time, a Cessna 172S, N35389, veered off the runway during the landing roll at the Glendale Municipal Airport, Glendale, Arizona.  Glendale Aviation was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91.  The student pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured; the airplane sustained substantial damage.  The local instructional flight originated from Glendale about 1145.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan had not been filed.

In a written statement, the student pilot reported that earlier in the day he had flown four full-stop takeoffs and landings with his flight instructor.  With his instructor's authorization, he decided to fly solo, which would be his first solo flight.  After making an uneventful takeoff, the pilot completed a traffic pattern for runway 19.  On approach, he configured the airplane to compensate for wind conditions and input 30 degrees of flaps.  The airplane touched down at a normal airspeed and was properly aligned on the runway's centerline.

The pilot further stated that after touchdown, the airplane's right wing lifted up.  While attempting to correct, he lost control of the airplane.  The airplane veered off the runway and collided with two hillocks.  The airplane incurred damage to the firewall and bottom of the fuselage.  The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N35389](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N35389), registered now, S/N 172S8938, built 2001 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Cessna 172S
- Registry model: [Cessna 172S](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172s) (registry code 2072439) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-360-L2A](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-360-l2a) (registry code 41597, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 172S8938
- Engines: Lycoming IO-360 reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Glendale Aviation
- Registered owner: Chrismond Aviation, LLC
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: GEU, Glendale, AZ
- Destination: GEU, Glendale, AZ
- Airport: GEU, Glendale Municipal Airport, runway 19

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 20; student; medical: class 3; flight hours: 27 total, 27 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day

## 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 20040626016549A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040626016549A), Jun 26, 2004: Cessna 172S, Glendale, AZ, Substantial damage. (-23) Immediately after touch down during first solo landing the student encountered a gust for which he failed to properly correct. The aircraft drifted off…

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.

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