# NTSB LAX94LA334: Cessna 172, N172ST, Mesa, AZ, August 22, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 22, 1994, 08:40 local (15:40 UTC) - Place: Mesa, AZ - Coordinates: 33.510665, -111.579246 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.5107&lon=-111.5792&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report November 14, 1994 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 28837 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX94LA334 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/28837/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX94LA334 ## Probable cause THE STUDENT PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL BY HIS IMPROPER USE OF THE FLIGHT CONTROLS. FACTORS RELATED TO THIS ACCIDENT WERE THE PILOT'S LACK OF TOTAL EXPERIENCE AND THE CROSSWIND. ## 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 - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor) - flight controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor) - Nose over, landing - roll ## Analysis THE STUDENT PILOT WAS PRACTICING TOUCH-AND-GO TAKEOFFS AND LANDINGS. THERE WAS A CROSSWIND FROM THE LEFT AND, ON THE LAST LANDING, THE AIRPLANE VEERED TO THE LEFT, COLLIDED WITH A DITCH AND NOSED OVER. ## Factual narrative On August 22, 1994, at 0840 hours mountain standard time, a Cessna 172, N172ST, exited the left side of runway 22R and collided with a ditch and nosed-over at Falcon Field, Mesa, Arizona. The noncertificated student pilot was conducting a local solo visual flight rules instructional flight. The airplane, operated by Superstition Air Service, Falcon Field, sustained substantial damage. The student pilot received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, but with a direct 90-degree left crosswind component. The flight originated at Falcon Field at 0825 hours. The operator told National Transportation Safety Board investigators during a telephone interview on August 23, 1994, that the student pilot was conducting touch-and-go takeoffs and landings. On the accident landing, the local controller cleared the student pilot for the option. The student pilot landed normally. During the landing rollout, the airplane veered to the left and its nose gear collided with a ditch and nosed-over. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N172ST](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N172ST-2009-09-04), registration cancelled 2009-09-04, S/N 17271289, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172 - 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: 17271829 - Airframe hours: 4496 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Superstition Air Service - Registered owner: Superstition Air Service - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility - Last inspection: 100 hour, July 28, 1994, 42 hours before - Airport: FFZ, Falcon Field, runway 22R, 3,800 × 74 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 24 total, 24 in this make and model, 2 as pilot in command, 24 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 140° at 8 knots - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken - Temperature: 90 °F ## 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 19940822022599A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940822022599A), Aug 22, 1994: Cessna 172N, Mesa, AZ, Substantial damage. Lost directional control on landing. Veered off runway into a ditch. ## Other investigations on N172ST (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 SEA08LA191](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA08LA191), Aug 30, 2008: Cessna 172N (N172ST), Burbank, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's improper preflight and in-flight planning, which resulted in fuel exhaustion. Contributing to the accident were the pilot's loss of situational awareness while conducting the normal and… 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.