# NTSB LAX94LA176: Cessna 172N, N6290D, Gasquet, CA, April 3, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 3, 1994, 10:41 local (17:41 UTC) - Place: Gasquet, CA - Coordinates: 41.840911, -123.849372 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.8409&lon=-123.8494&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 3 minor - Status: Completed, report November 14, 1994 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 28707 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX94LA176 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/28707/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX94LA176 ## Probable cause THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO ADEQUATELY COMPENSATE FOR THE CROSS- WIND CONDITIONS, AND TO MAINTAIN PROPER ALIGNMENT WITH THE RUNWAY. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - weather condition - crosswind - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - proper alignment - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - object - tree(s) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis The pilot reported she circled the field to determine the prevailing winds and to select a landing runway. After observing the windsocks, she estimated the wind to be from 060 degrees at 8 knots, which she believed favored runway 06. She then established the aircraft on final approach, planning to land long. While on final, she extended full flaps and stabilized the airspeed at 60 knots. As the aircraft descended to about 40 feet AGL just past the approach end, a gusting right crosswind caused the aircraft to be 'pushed' off its approach path. The pilot said she attempted to correct her direction of flight and applied full power. However, due to her reduced airspeed and full flap configuration she said she was unable to establish a positive rate of climb in time to avoid some 30 to 40 foot trees about 30 yards off the left side of the runway. As a result, the left wing of the aircraft struck a tree, causing the aircraft to yaw and fall through the trees to the ground. ## Factual narrative On April 3, 1994, at 1041 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 172N, N6290D, was destroyed when it struck some trees during an approach at Gasquet, California. The aircraft was owned and operated by Buchanan Flying Club, Inc., of Concord, California, and was rented by the pilot for a personal cross-country flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91 of the Federal Aviation Regulations. Visual meteorological conditions were prevalent at the time and no flight plan had been filed for the operation. The certificated private pilot and two passengers sustained minor injuries, while the third passenger incurred serious injuries. The flight originated on the day of the mishap at 1000 from Crescent City, California. In a written statement to Del Norte Sheriff's Deputies, the pilot reported she circled the field to determine the prevailing winds and to select a landing runway. After observing the windsocks, she estimated the wind to be from 060 degrees at 8 knots, which she believed favored runway 06. She then established the aircraft on final approach, planning to land long. While on final, she extended full flaps and stabilized the airspeed at 60 knots. As the aircraft descended to about 40 feet AGL just past the approach end, a gusting right crosswind caused the aircraft to drift off the final approach path. The pilot said she attempted to correct her direction of flight and applied full power. She said that, due to her reduced airspeed and full flap configuration, she was unable to establish a positive rate of climb in time to avoid some 30 to 40 foot trees about 30 yards off the left side of the runway. As a result, the left wing of the aircraft struck a tree, causing the aircraft to yaw and fall through the trees to the ground. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6290D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6290D-2013-04-29), registration cancelled 2013-04-29, S/N 17272696, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172N - Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17272696 - Airframe hours: 5722 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Buchanan Flying Club Inc. - Registered owner: Buchanan Flying Club Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special); Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, March 8, 1994, 47 hours before - Departed: CEC, CRESCENT CITY, CA - Airport: 0O9, Ward Field, runway 6, 2,990 × 50 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 46; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 218 total, 47 in this make and model, 127 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 350° at 25 knots, gusting 30 - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 43 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: CEC, 14 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 19940403000249A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940403000249A), Apr 3, 1994: Cessna 172N, Gasquet, CA, Destroyed. On flare allowed wind gust to drift plane off runway. Tried go around full flaps. Unable climb. Struck trees. 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.