# NTSB LAX98LA143: Cessna 172M, N64006, Henderson, NV, April 26, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 26, 1998, 10:30 local (17:30 UTC) - Place: Henderson, NV - Coordinates: 36.159755, -115.429656 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.1598&lon=-115.4297&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 15, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 30074 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX98LA143 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30074/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX98LA143 ## Probable cause The pilot's decision to attempt a landing in crosswind conditions at or above the demonstrated capability of the aircraft, and his subsequent 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 - weather condition - gusts - in-flight planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - aircraft performance,crosswind capability - exceeded (cause) - proper alignment - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - aborted - terrain condition - rock(s)/boulder(s) ## Analysis On final approach to the airport the tower reported the winds to be variable from 330 degrees to 350 degrees at 24 knots gusting to 36 knots. The pilot setup for a left crosswind landing on runway 36. After touchdown the aircraft went left of centerline, the pilot relaxed left aileron input and increased right rudder input to return to the centerline. The pilot stated that the left wing of the aircraft made an abrupt upward movement and the aircraft veered to the right. He attempted to go-around, but aborted the attempt due to decreased airspeed and location of the aircraft on the runway. The aircraft struck rocks on the right side and came to rest inverted. According to Cessna Aircraft, the maximum factory demonstrated crosswind component capability is 15 knots, which was achieved in certification flight testing. ## Factual narrative On April 26, 1998, at 1030 hours Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 172M, N64006, veered off runway 36 during a crosswind landing and came to rest inverted at the Henderson, Nevada, airport. The aircraft sustained substantial damage. The commercial pilot and a passenger, the sole occupants, were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions existed for the personal flight that originated from Falcon Field, Mesa, Arizona, at 0930. A visual flight rules flight plan was filed. The pilot stated that he contacted the tower, reported his position, and was instructed to report approximately 1 mile out on a right base for runway 36. He stated that the winds were reported to be from 330 degrees at 19 knots gusting to 24 knots. The pilot said that on final approach the tower reported the winds as variable from 330 degrees to 350 degrees at 24 knots gusting to 36 knots. The pilot reported that the aircraft was setup for a left crosswind landing; left wing low and right rudder input. After touchdown the aircraft veered to the left. The pilot reported that he had applied full right rudder and relaxed the left aileron input to return to centerline. He stated that the left wing suddenly lifted up and the aircraft shot across the right side of the runway. He attempted to go-around, but aborted due to decreased airspeed and location on the runway, then the aircraft struck rocks located off the right side of the runway. The pilot said that his passenger exited the aircraft without assistance, and before he exited the aircraft he shutdown the aircraft's systems. He reported that no mechanical malfunctions existed with the aircraft. According to Cessna Aircraft, the maximum factory demonstrated crosswind component capability is 15 knots, which was achieved in certification flight testing. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N64006](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N64006-2013-02-13), registration cancelled 2013-02-13, S/N 17264954, 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: 17264954 - Airframe hours: 7145 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Richard A. Koril - Registered owner: Arizona Aviation - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, March 13, 1998, 50 hours before - Departed: FFZ, MESA, AZ - Destination: L15 - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: L15, Henderson, runway 36, 5,000 × 60 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 45; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,090 total, 68 in this make and model, 14 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 320° at 25 knots, gusting 36 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: L15 ## 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 19980426007789A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980426007789A), Apr 26, 1998: Cessna 172M, Las Vegas, NV, Substantial damage. Encountered gust of wind, exited rwy, flipped over and came to rest inverted. Las Vegas, NV. (.4) on April 26, 1998, at 1030 hours pacific daylight time, a… ## Other investigations on N64006 (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 NYC83LA250](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC83LA250), Sep 20, 1983: Cessna C172M (N64006), Dover, DE, substantial damage 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.