# NTSB LAX83LA255: Cessna 172M, N9699Q, Willits, CA, May 30, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 30, 1983, 13:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: Willits, CA
- Coordinates: 39.489509, -123.359542 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.4895&lon=-123.3595&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23730
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83LA255
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23730/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83LA255

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - in flight, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - flare - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper alignment - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose down, landing - roll
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT VEERED OFF THE RWY DURING LANDING IN A 15 KT CROSSWIND. THE PILOT STATED THAT JUST AFTER TOUCHDOWN HE ENCOUNTERED 'A LEFT QUARTERING TAILWIND GUST MORE LIKE 220 DEGREES AT 10 KTS' WHICH PICKED UP HIS LEFT WING AND CAUSED HIM TO VEER OFF THE RWY. UNICOM HAD ADVISED THAT THE WIND WAS FROM 270 DEGREES AT 5 KTS ACCORDING TO THE PILOT. THE LANDING WAS ON RWY 34. TWO GROUND WITNESSES WITH AERONAUTICAL EXPERIENCE PROVIDED STATEMENTS. THEY SAID THE WIND WAS VARIABLE WITH GUSTS TO 10 KTS. THEY DESCRIBED A HIGH FLARE WITH A BALLOONING EFFECT, THE RIGHT WING DROPPING, THE ACFT GOING OFF TO THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE RWY AND NOSING DOWN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9699Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9699Q-2012-11-26), registration cancelled 2012-11-26, S/N 17265783, 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: 17265783
- Airframe hours: 2652
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E3D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Fallon Company
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 16, 1983, 20 hours before
- Departed: AUN, AUBURN, CA
- Airport: 028, Willia Muni, runway 34, 3,000 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 212 total, 63 in this make and model, 124 as pilot in command, 18 in the last 90 days, 18 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: variable at 5 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 37 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19830530021389A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830530021389A), May 30, 1983: Cessna 172M, Willits, CA, Substantial damage. Drifted off runway after ballooning on landing. Right wing struck a tree. Exceeded aircraft's crosswind component.

## Other investigations on N9699Q (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 LAX94LA350](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX94LA350), Sep 4, 1994: Cessna 172M (N9699Q), Rescue, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT'S DELAYED GO-AROUND. HIS INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR THE WIND WAS A FACTOR.

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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