# NTSB LAX96LA314: Cessna 172M, N64198, Truckee, CA, August 24, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 24, 1996, 11:45 local (18:45 UTC) - Place: Truckee, CA - Coordinates: 39.329555, -120.239433 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.3296&lon=-120.2394&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 30, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 29542 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX96LA314 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29542/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX96LA314 ## Probable cause the student pilot's inadequate compensation for the existing crosswind condition and failure to maintain directional control. The encounter with a ditch was a related factor. ## 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 (contributing factor) - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor) ## Analysis The student pilot was on his first solo flight. The first full stop landing on runway 28 was without incident. On the second landing, a left crosswind raised the airplane's left wing, and the airplane yawed to the left. The student pilot applied right rudder, but without success. The airplane exited the runway and collided with a ditch. The student pilot and the operator reported that the airplane did not experience any preexisting malfunction or failure. The surface winds were reported to be from the southeast at 6 knots, gusting to 15 knots. ## Factual narrative On August 24, 1996, at 1145 hours Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 172M, N64198, lost directional control, exited the runway, and the nose gear collapsed after colliding with a ditch during the landing roll on runway 28 at Truckee-Tahoe Airport, Truckee, California. The pilot was on a local visual flight rules solo instructional flight. The airplane, registered to DATS Aviation, d.b.a Regent Air, Truckee, sustained substantial damage, and the student pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The flight originated at Truckee-Tahoe Airport at 1130. The student pilot's instructor reported in a telephone interview conducted on August 28, 1996, that he and the company's mechanic observed the accident. He said that the student was on his second supervised solo flight. The first landing was without incident and the winds were calm. However, during the ground run on the second landing, the airplane's left wheel lifted off the runway and the airplane exited the runway. The instructor also said that on the second landing the surface winds were from the south between 3 and 4 knots. In a statement made to the operator, the student said that when he flared the airplane between 5 and 10 feet above the ground, the left wing began to rise, and the airplane yawed to the left. He applied full right rudder, but without success. The airplane did not realign with the runway. The student then applied full power to execute a go-around, but the airplane touched the ground in a left crab angle and then exited the runway. The reported surface winds were 150 degrees at 6 knots, gusting to 15 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N64198](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N64198), registered now, S/N 17265080, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172M - Registry model: [Cessna 172M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172m) (registry code 2072418) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17265080 - Airframe hours: 7182 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Dats Aviation - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, June 3, 1996, 89 hours before - Airport: TRK, Truckee-Tahoe, runway 28, 7,000 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 42; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 42 total, 42 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 150° at 6 knots, gusting 15 - Visibility: 30 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: TRK ## 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 19960824023979A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960824023979A), Aug 24, 1996: Cessna 172M, Truckee, CA, Substantial damage. Aircraft crashed on landing. (.4)the student pilot was on his first solo flight. The first full stop landing on runway 28 was without incident. On the second… 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.