# NTSB LAX97LA268: Cessna 172, N7359A, Goodyear, AZ, July 4, 1997

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 4, 1997, 07:09 local (14:09 UTC)
- Place: Goodyear, AZ
- Coordinates: 33.370994, -112.380096 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.3710&lon=-112.3801&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 10, 1998
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 29859
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX97LA268
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29859/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX97LA268

## Probable cause

The pilot's inadequate compensation for the existing crosswind condition, and his resultant failure to maintain directional control of the aircraft during the landing flare.

## 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
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - fence

## Analysis

The pilot stated that during the landing, the aircraft ballooned slightly to about 10 feet above the surface.  He reported that he then added power and attempted to lower the aircraft down to the runway surface.  The pilot said that at approximately 5 feet above the ground, the left wing lost lift and dropped.  The aircraft then turned left and veered off the runway.  The weather observation taken at the airport at the time of the accident was reporting winds from 250 degrees at 8 knots.

## Factual narrative

On July 4, 1997, at 0709 hours mountain standard time, a Cessna 172, N7359A, veered off runway 21 and collided with a fence while performing touch-and-go pattern operations at the Goodyear, Arizona, airport.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed.  The aircraft sustained substantial damage.  The airline transport pilot and two passengers were not injured.  The flight originated from the Paradise Airport in Buckeye, Arizona, for a local area personal flight at 0630 on the morning of the accident.

In his written report, the pilot stated that during the landing the aircraft ballooned slightly to about 10 feet above the surface.  He reported that he then added power and attempted to lower the aircraft down to the runway surface.  The pilot said that at approximately 5 feet above the ground, the left wing lost lift and dropped.  The aircraft then turned left and veered off the runway.

The aviation surface weather observation taken at the airport at the time of the accident was reporting winds from 250 degrees at 8 knots.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N7359A (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: Cessna 172
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 29459
- Engines: Continental O-300-C 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Arvie M. Allison
- Registered owner: Banning Farms
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: E55, BUCKEYE, AZ
- Destination: GYR
- Airport: GYR, Goodyear, runway 21, 8,500 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; private, airline transport, military, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 3,138 total, 22 in this make and model, 1,126 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 250° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: GYR

## 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 19970704023589A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970704023589A), Jul 4, 1997: Cessna 172, Goodyear, AZ, Substantial damage. Ballooned landing. At 5 ft left wing stalled. Dropped. 172 veered off runway.

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.

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