# NTSB LAX97LA064: Cessna 172, N1042G, Big Bear City, CA, November 29, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 29, 1996, 10:00 local (18:00 UTC) - Place: Big Bear City, CA - Coordinates: 34.260753, -116.83992 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.2608&lon=-116.8399&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 30, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 29699 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX97LA064 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29699/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX97LA064 ## Probable cause the pilot's inadequate compensation for the wind condition, and his failure to maintain alignment with the runway. The gusty crosswind was a related factor. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - proper alignment - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - object - runway light (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot reported that while approaching the Big Bear City Airport, he monitored the AWOS and understood the wind was from 250 degrees at 5 knots. He said that during final approach to land on runway 26, he was 'fighting to keep lined up,' and the windsock was 90 degrees to the runway. During the landing flare, a gust pushed the airplane off the runway, and the airplane collided with a light stanchion. The pilot additionally reported that the accident could have been prevented had he gone around or exercised 'better crosswind landing technique.' The Big Bear City Airport AWOS reported that the wind was from 360 degrees at 9 gusting 16 knots. ## Factual narrative On November 29, 1996, at 1000 hours Pacific standard time, a Cessna 172, N1042G, owned and operated by the pilot, landed in gusty wind conditions on runway 26 at the Big Bear City Airport, Big Bear City, California. The airplane touched down adjacent to the south side of the runway, collided with a precision approach path indicator (PAPI) light stanchion, and was substantially damaged. The private pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time, and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight. The flight originated from Ramona, California, at 0830. The pilot reported to the Federal Aviation Administration that he experienced moderate turbulence and gusty crosswinds during the approach to landing. During the landing flare, the airplane drifted south of the runway. The pilot elected to land rather than go around. In the pilot's completed report, he reported that approaching Big Bear he monitored the AWOS and understood the wind was from 250 degrees at 5 knots. However, approaching the runway he was "fighting to keep lined up," and the windsock was 90 degrees to the runway. On flare, a gust pushed the airplane off the runway. The pilot further reported that the accident could have been prevented if he had had gone around or exercised "better crosswind landing technique." At 1000 the Big Bear City Airport AWOS reported the wind at 360 degrees, 9 knots with gusts to 16 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1042G](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1042G), registered now, S/N 36704 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172 - Registry model: [Cessna 172](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172) (registry code 2072402) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 36704 - Airframe hours: 2050 - Engines: Continental O-300-A 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Gary W. Buscombe - Registered owner: Gary & Alma Buscombe - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 1, 1996, 20 hours before - Departed: L39, RAMONA, CA - Destination: L35 - Airport: L35, Big Bear City, runway 26, 5,850 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 51; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 613 total, 117 in this make and model, 457 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 360° at 9 knots, gusting 16 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 30 °F, dew point 10 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: L35 ## 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 19961129037209A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19961129037209A), Nov 29, 1996: Cessna 172, Big Bear, CA, Substantial damage. Drifted on short final in gusty crosswind. Failed go around. Hit PAPI straight on. Too much crosswind for pilot. 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.