# NTSB LAX98LA135: Cessna 172M, N73405, Scottsdale, AZ, April 11, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 11, 1998, 14:19 local (21:19 UTC) - Place: Scottsdale, AZ - Coordinates: 33.610237, -111.889686 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.6102&lon=-111.8897&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 3 minor - Status: Completed, report February 15, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 30067 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX98LA135 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30067/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX98LA135 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control and his inadequate compensation for the wind condition. A contributing factor was the crosswind. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, go-around (vfr) - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water collision with object, go-around (vfr) - terrain condition - construction area ## Analysis The pilot reported that, after initial touchdown, the airplane bounced back into the air and a strong gust of wind pushed it sideways. He then attempted to go-around but a second gust pushed the airplane toward a steel tower. The pilot then banked the airplane to the right to miss the tower and flew into an unoccupied construction trailer. At the time of landing, the crosswind component for the runway was approximately 19 knots, which is 4 knots above the limit stated by Cessna Aircraft Company for the model 172. ## Factual narrative On April 11, 1998, at 1419 hours mountain standard time, a Cessna 172M, N73405, was destroyed during a landing attempt when it impacted a construction trailer located approximately 200 yards west of runway 21 at Scottsdale Airport, Scottsdale, Arizona. There were minor injuries to the pilot and two passengers. The aircraft is owned by Desert Coast Aviation, Inc., of Scottsdale, and was operated by the licensed private pilot. The flight departed from Eloy, Arizona, on a visual flight to Scottsdale. No flight plan was filed and visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The pilot reported that, after initial touchdown, the airplane bounced back into the air and a strong gust of wind pushed it sideways. He then attempted to go-around but a second gust pushed the airplane toward a steel tower. The pilot then banked the airplane to the right to miss the tower and flew into an unoccupied construction trailer. At the time of the accident, the surface wind was variable around 140 degrees magnetic at 15 knots with gusts to 20 knots. Using the gust factor of 20 knots and a wind direction of 140 degrees, the crosswind component for runway 21 at the time of the accident was calculated to be 19 knots. According to Cessna Flight Test Engineering, the maximum crosswind component for the 172 model is 15 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N73405](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N73405-2013-08-13), registration cancelled 2013-08-13, S/N 17267434, built 1976 (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: 17267434 - Airframe hours: 2607 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Desert Coast Aviation, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, February 19, 1998, 25 hours before - Departed: E60, ELOY, AZ - Destination: SDL - Airport: SDL, Scottsdale, runway 21, 8,251 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 21; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 207 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 15 knots, gusting 20 - Visibility: 40 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 21 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: KSD, 1 nm away ## 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 19980411006539A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980411006539A), Apr 11, 1998: Cessna 172M, Scottsdale, AZ, Destroyed. Bounced landing. Wind gust drifted 172. Banked to avoid a tower and struck a construction trailer. Excess xwind. (.4)during an attempted go-around in gusty… ## Other investigations on N73405 (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 FTW93LA074](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW93LA074), Jan 23, 1993: Cessna 172M (N73405), Baytown, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE LOSS OF POWER DUE TO A STUCK EXHAUST VALVE IN THE NUMBER 3 CYLINDER 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.