# NTSB LAX94LA310: Cessna 172M, N4390R, Carson City, NV, August 8, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 8, 1994, 12:20 local (19:20 UTC)
- Place: Carson City, NV
- Coordinates: 39.140525, -119.709953 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.1405&lon=-119.7100&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 12, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 28818
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX94LA310
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/28818/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX94LA310

## Probable cause

the pilot's decision to attempt a landing in crosswind conditions which exceeded the capability of the aircraft.

## 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 - crosswind
  - weather condition - gusts
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft performance,landing capability - exceeded
  - flight into known adverse weather - attempted, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE WAS LANDING ON RUNWAY 27 AND ENCOUNTERED A VERY STRONG LEFT-QUARTERING WIND GUST AT TOUCHDOWN. THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT AND IT VEERED OFF THE RUNWAY AND GROUND LOOPED. AN FAA INSPECTOR REPORTED THAT THE WINDS WERE FROM 220 DEGREES AT 15 KNOTS WITH GUSTS ESTIMATED AT 25 KNOTS OR HIGHER. ACCORDING TO THE CESSNA AIRCRAFT COMPANY, THE MAXIMUM DEMONSTRATED CROSSWIND FOR THIS AIRCRAFT IS 15 KNOTS. THE MINIMUM GUST CROSSWIND COMPONENT FOR THE OBSERVED WINDS WAS COMPUTED AT 17 KNOTS.

## Factual narrative

On August 8, 1994, at 1220 hours Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 172M, N4390R, veered off the runway at Carson City, Nevada, and ground looped.  The aircraft was owned and operated by the pilot. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and a VFR flight plan was filed for the operation.  The aircraft incurred substantial damage to the right wing and fuselage.  The certificated private pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured.  The flight originated at Scapoose, Oregon, on the day of the accident at 0820 as a personal cross-country flight to Carson City, Nevada.

The pilot reported that he was landing on runway 27 and encountered a very strong left quartering wind gust at touchdown. The pilot was unable to maintain control of the aircraft and it veered off the runway and ground looped.

A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector responded to the accident site and reported that the winds were from about 220 degrees at 15 knots with gusts he estimated at 25 knots or higher.

According to the Cessna Aircraft Company Pilot's Operating Handbook (POH) for the model 172M, the maximum demonstrated crosswind for the aircraft is 15 knots.  The minimum gust crosswind component for the FAA inspector-observed winds was computed at 17 knots.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4390R](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4390R), registered now, S/N 17263140, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172M
- Registry model: [Cessna 172M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172m) (registry code 2072418) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Franklin 6A-350-C2](https://openairdocs.org/engine/franklin-6a-350-c2) (registry code 27071, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17263140
- Engines: FRANKLIN 6A-350-C2 215 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Erwin E. Martell
- Registered owner: Erwin E. Martell
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 26, 1994, 12 hours before
- Departed: 1S4, SCAPOOSE, OR
- Destination: O04
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: O04, Carson, runway 27, 5,900 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,006 total, 609 in this make and model, 957 as pilot in command, 19 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 15 knots, gusting 25
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 88 °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 19940808020689A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940808020689A), Aug 8, 1994: Cessna STC172, Carson City, NV, Substantial damage. Gust on landing. Lost control. Ground looped. Exceeded crosswind component for aircraft.

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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