# NTSB LAX97LA152: Cessna 172N, N8123E, Prescott, AZ, April 9, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 9, 1997, 07:55 local (14:55 UTC) - Place: Prescott, AZ - Coordinates: 34.620372, -112.41938 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.6204&lon=-112.4194&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 21, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 29765 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX97LA152 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29765/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX97LA152 ## Probable cause the student pilot's inadequate compensation for the crosswind condition, and his failure to maintain proper runway alignment. ## 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) - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - proper alignment - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - terrain condition - ditch ## Analysis The student pilot had been cleared for his first unsupervised solo activity by his flight instructor and flight supervisor. The school established a maximum total wind component of 15 knots, and a maximum crosswind component of 5 knots. At approximately 0730, the flight supervisor recalled all student pilots from the practice area due to the wind direction and velocity exceeding the forecast conditions. The tower was in the process of changing runways. Before the runway change occurred, the student pilot requested and had been cleared for a touch-and-go landing on runway 21R. During the landing rollout phase, the student pilot encountered a crosswind, and the aircraft veered off of the runway and into a ditch. The wind was from 150 degrees at 8 knots. There were no mechanical malfunctions noted. ## Factual narrative On April 9, 1997, at 0755 hours mountain standard time, a Cessna 172N, N8123E, veered off runway 21R and struck a ditch while practicing touch-and-go landings at Ernest A. Love Field, Prescott, Arizona. The airplane, owned and operated by Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU), was substantially damaged. The student pilot, on a local area solo instructional flight, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated at 0640. According to the operator's report the student pilot had been approved by his flight instructor for a maximum total wind component of 15 knots, a maximum crosswind component of 5 knots. The duty flight supervisor reviewed the student pilot's qualifications and approved him for departure. The pilot was dispatched during routine operations for his first unsupervised solo activity. At approximately 0730, the flight supervisor began to observe wind direction and velocity exceeding forecast conditions. At the same time, Prescott Tower started a runway change. The flight supervisor subsequently began recalling all student pilots from the practice area. At this time, the student pilot was returning from the practice area and was preparing for a touch-and-go. The student pilot reported that after touchdown, the aircraft was rolling off the runway towards the left. He stated that he applied right rudder in an attempt to bring the plane back onto centerline. This didn't effect the airplane path as it continued to roll off the runway. Reported winds were from 150 degrees at 8 knots. An Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector from the Scottsdale, Arizona, Flight Standards District Office reviewed aircraft logbooks and maintenance entries. No deficiencies were noted. The aircraft was inspected and no abnormalities were found. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8123E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8123E-2013-04-29), registration cancelled 2013-04-29, S/N 17272142, built 1978 (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: 17272142 - Airframe hours: 8059 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-A4M 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Embry-Riddle Aero. Univ. Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 1, 1997, 52 hours before - Departed: PRC - 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; student; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 30 total, 30 in this make and model, 30 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 150° at 8 knots - Visibility: 40 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft broken - Temperature: 45 °F, dew point 27 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 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 19970409005509A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970409005509A), Apr 9, 1997: Cessna 172N, Prescott, AZ, Substantial damage. Solo student inexperienced in crosswind landings. Veered left off runway into ditch. Exceeded capability. 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.