# NTSB LAX94LA339: Cessna 172, N9447E, Lakeport, CA, August 25, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 25, 1994, 13:30 local (20:30 UTC) - Place: Lakeport, CA - Coordinates: 39.040168, -122.930297 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.0402&lon=-122.9303&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 9, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 28842 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX94LA339 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/28842/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX94LA339 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate compensation for the existing cross wind conditions, and failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during landing rollout. ## 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 - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - proper alignment - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - directional control - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - ditch ## Analysis AT THE CONCLUSION OF A CROSS-COUNTRY FLIGHT, THE PILOT MADE A TRAFFIC PATTERN APPROACH AND LANDED ON RUNWAY 28. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE AIRPLANE TOUCHED DOWN WITHIN THE FIRST 1/3 OF THE RUNWAY, AND DURING ROLLOUT, ENCOUNTERED A WIND BETWEEN 180 AND 270 DEGREES AT 10 TO 25 KNOTS. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT DESPITE ALL HER EFFORTS, SHE WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN A GROUND TRACK DOWN THE RUNWAY, AND SHE LOST CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE. THE AIRPLANE VEERED OFF THE RUNWAY AND ENTERED A DITCH. FOUR MONTHS EARLIER, THE PILOT HAD BEEN ISSUED A PRIVATE PILOT CERTIFICATE. ## Factual narrative On August 25, 1994, at 1330 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 172, N9447E, operated by the Sundance Flying Club, experienced a loss of directional control during landing rollout at the Lampson (uncontrolled) Field, Lakeport, California. The airplane veered off the runway, collided with a berm, and was substantially damaged. The private pilot was not injured during the personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a visual flight rules (VFR) flight plan was filed for the operation which originated from Palo Alto, California, at 1215 on the day of the accident. The pilot said that as she approached runway 28 she observed the midfield wind sock and estimated that the wind direction and speed were variable. The wind direction was from 180 to 270 degrees, and the speed between 10 and 25 knots. The pilot stated that the airplane touched down within the first 1/3 of the runway, and then encountered a gusty left crosswind. Despite all her efforts at manipulating the airplane's controls, she was unable to maintain a ground track down the runway. She lost control of the airplane, it veered off the runway, and it went into a ditch. The pilot further stated that she received a private pilot certificate in April, 1994. She had about 141 hours of total flight time, and about 19 hours of flight time in the Cessna 172. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9447E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9447E-1996-05-29), registration cancelled 1996-05-29, S/N 17272267 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172 - Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17272267 - Airframe hours: 4442 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Sundance Flying Club - Registered owner: Clark & Francis Reider - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Provisional (Special); Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, July 22, 1994, 20 hours before - Departed: PAO, PALO ALTO, CA - Destination: 1O2, CA - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: 1O2, Lampson Field, runway 28, 3,515 × 60 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 47; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 141 total, 19 in this make and model, 67 as pilot in command, 26 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 10 knots, gusting 25 - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 90 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 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 19940825023319A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940825023319A), Aug 25, 1994: Cessna 172N, Lakeport, CA, Substantial damage. Aircraft was on final for landing, caught a crossind and lost control of aircraft, attempted to correct. ## Other investigations on N9447E (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 LAX92LA265](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92LA265), Jun 26, 1992: Cessna 172N (N9447E), Hayward, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE STUDENT PILOT'S MISJUDGING THE LANDING FLARE, THE CFI'S DELAYED REMEDIAL ACTION AND HIS FAILURE TO ADEQUATELY SUPERVISE THE CONDUCT OF THE FLIGHT. 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.