# NTSB LAX08CA237: Cessna 172, N9912Q, Salmon, ID, July 21, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 21, 2008, 15:40 local (21:40 UTC) - Place: Salmon, ID - Coordinates: 45.123611, -113.866668 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.1236&lon=-113.8667&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 22, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 68494 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX08CA237 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/68494/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX08CA237 ## Probable cause The pilot's decision to take off in known adverse wind conditions that lead to an encounter with a windshear, the resulting inability of the pilot to maintain airspeed, and a stall/mush into the terrain. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Contributed to outcome (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 26 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 36 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 24 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md) - [Wind: windshear](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034020): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Contributed to outcome (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034020/cases.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 90 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Windshear or thunderstorm](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/390); cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/390/sequence.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 224 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/390/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 47 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported gusty wind conditions prior to his takeoff. During the takeoff initial climb out, the wind shifted and the airplane was not able to maintain altitude. The airplane landed hard beyond the departure end of the runway and the nose landing gear folded back into the airplane causing damage to the firewall. In the pilot's written statement he reported that he should not have been in such a hurry to take off and that if he would have departed 10 minutes earlier or later the winds would not have affected the takeoff. Archived AWOS weather for the airport at 1535 reported winds from 190 degrees at 7 knots. At 1515 winds were reported to be from 210 degrees at 8 knots gusting to 32 knots. Winds reported at 1555 were from 250 degrees at 14 knots gusting to 31 knots; with the winds varying in direction from 210 degrees to 280 degrees. ## Factual narrative The pilot stated that shortly after takeoff, the airplane was struck by "severe windshear," which "slammed" the airplane into the ground at the departure end of the runway. He reported that the airport's AWOS (Automated Weather Observation System) was not working at the time of the accident. He taxied his airplane toward the runway, where he waited for an airplane to land. He taxied onto the active runway and departed for a local area airport. The pilot established the airplane on a best rate of climb (Vy) for the initial climb out. About 100 feet above the ground, the airplane encountered the windshear. The pilot stated that his first reaction was to pull back, and maintain the Vy airspeed. Eventually he had to change to the best angle of climb (Vx) to stay in the air. The airplane was not able to maintain altitude and impacted the ground. The nose landing gear folded back into the airplane, which caused structural damage to the firewall. The pilot stated that prior to takeoff the winds were "gusting in various directions of differing magnitude." The departure sock showed variable light gusts. Shortly after takeoff the windsock switched directions and intensity. The pilot reported that the winds were variable at 17 knots gusting to 18 knots. Archived AWOS weather for the airport at 1535 reported winds from 190 degrees at 7 knots. At 1515, winds were reported to be from 210 degrees at 8 knots, gusting to 32 knots. Winds reported at 1555 were from 250 degrees at 14 knots, gusting to 31 knots; with variable winds from 210 degrees to 280 degrees. In the Recommendation (How could this accident have been prevented?) section of the National Transportation Safety Board Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident/Incident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1), the pilot stated that he should not have been in a hurry and waited for the winds to become consistent. He further reported that if he had departed 10 minutes earlier or later it would likely have made a difference on takeoff. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9912Q](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9912Q), registered now, S/N 17265856, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172 (M) - 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: 17265856 - Airframe hours: 8301 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Scott Patrick - Registered owner: Scott Patrick - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, February 1, 2008, 33 hours before - Departed: SMN, Salmon, ID - Destination: SMN, Salmon, ID - Airport: SMN, Lemhi County, runway 35, 5,150 × 60 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 23; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review September 1, 2007; seat: left; flight hours: 1,580 total, 500 in this make and model, 1,450 as pilot in command, 220 in the last 90 days, 90 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 190° at 7 knots - Visibility: 9 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 46 °F - Altimeter: 29.88 inHg - Observed at: SMN ## 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 20080721840599A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080721840599A), Jul 21, 2008: Cessna 172, Salmon, ID, Substantial damage. (-23) PIC reported that he departed rnway 35 and at appx 100' AGL a/c started to descend and eventually struck the gng between the rnwy and the taxi way apprx… ## Other investigations on N9912Q (1) 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. - [NTSB GAA17CA341](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA341), Jun 14, 2017: Cessna 172 (N9912Q), Galena, ID, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack, which resulted in a power-on stall and subsequent loss of airplane control. 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.