# NTSB LAX96LA227: Cessna 172N, N737WR, Prescott, AZ, June 9, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 9, 1996, 11:50 local (18:50 UTC) - Place: Prescott, AZ - Coordinates: 34.619438, -112.419746 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.6194&lon=-112.4197&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 16, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 29468 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX96LA227 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29468/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX96LA227 ## Probable cause The failure of the pilot to adequately compensate for gusty crosswind conditions, which resulted in loss of aircraft control. ## 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 - gusts - weather condition - crosswind - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll - object - airport sign/marker ## Analysis According to the pilot, the ATIS reported surface winds of 12 knots; however, immediately after touchdown, a gust of wind picked up the right wing of the aircraft. The aircraft weathervaned and veered off the runway to the right. The left main gear impacted a taxiway sign and collapsed, causing the aircraft to ground loop to the left. The aircraft came to rest in a ditch between the runway and the parallel taxiway, approximately 1,000 feet from the threshold, heading 075 degrees. The reported weather at the time included wind gusts to 20 knots and observers estimated that winds were gusting up to 30 knots. ## Factual narrative On June 9, 1996, at 1150 hours mountain standard time, a Cessna 172N, N737WR, veered to the right off runway 21R while landing at Ernest A. Love Field, Prescott, Arizona. The aircraft came to rest in a ditch and was substantially damaged; however, the private pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a VFR flight plan had been filed for the instructional flight which departed Blythe, California, at 1030. In his report to the NTSB, the pilot said he had received the ATIS which reported surface winds of 12 knots and considered conditions safe for landing. Immediately after touchdown, however, a gust of wind picked up the right wing of the aircraft and only the left main landing gear remained on the runway. The aircraft weathervaned and, when he got the airplane under control, it was heading off the right side of the runway. The aircraft left the runway approximately 700 feet from the threshold and skidded across a taxiway (A4), impacting a taxiway sign with the left main landing gear. The landing gear collapsed causing the aircraft to then veer left and ground loop into a drainage ditch between taxiway alpha and runway 21R. The aircraft came to rest in the ditch between the runway and parallel taxiway, approximately 1,000 feet from the threshold, heading 075 degrees. The operator reported that the surface winds were from 240 degrees at 12 knots with gusts to 20 knots, and that observers on the ground and in the air at the time estimated wind gusts of up to 30 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N737WR](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N737WR), registered now, S/N 17269735, built 1977 (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: 17269735 - Airframe hours: 7098 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-A4N 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Embry-Riddle Aeronautical Univ - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: AAIP, June 7, 1996, 10 hours before - Departed: BLH, BLYTHE, CA - Destination: PRC - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: PRC, Ernest A. Love Field, runway 21R, 4,842 × 60 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 19; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 96 total, 96 in this make and model, 26 as pilot in command, 26 in the last 90 days, 26 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 240° at 12 knots, gusting 20 - Visibility: 65 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 39 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: PRC ## 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 19960609014519A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960609014519A), Jun 9, 1996: Cessna STC172, Prescott, AZ, Substantial damage. Wind gust picked up wing landing weathervaned. Ran off runway. Struck sign. Skidded into ditch. Collapsed gear. ## Other investigations on N737WR (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 LAX89LA208](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89LA208), May 30, 1989: Cessna 172N (N737WR), Sacramento, CA, minor damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT OF THE OTHER AIRCRAFT DISPLAYED POOR JUDGEMENT WHEN HE ELECTED TO CONTINUE TAXIING IN THE RUNUP AREA WHEN VISUAL LOOKOUT COULD NOT BE MAINTAINED. 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.