# NTSB MIA91LA173: Cessna 172N, N6522D, Punta Gorda, FL, June 28, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 28, 1991, 18:30 local (22:30 UTC)
- Place: Punta Gorda, FL
- Coordinates: 26.889968, -82.049255 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.8900&lon=-82.0493&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 27, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32891
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA91LA173
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32891/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA91LA173

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO OBSERVE THE WINDSOCK BEFORE LANDING RESULTING IN FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL AFTER LANDING WITH A QUARTERING TAILWIND.  THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH A DITCH.  CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS LACK OF TOTAL EXPERIENCE OF THE PILOT.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- On ground/water encounter with weather, landing - roll
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - wind information - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ditch
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, other

## Analysis

THE PLT WAS ADVISED ON THE UNICOM FREQUENCY THAT THE WIND WAS FAVORING RWY 33, BUT HE DID NOT OBSERVE THE WINDSOCK TO VERIFY THIS.  AFTER TOUCHDOWN DURING THE LANDING ROLL, THE ACFT TRAVELLED OFF THE RWY INTO A DITCH & NOSED OVER. HE FURTHER STATED THAT AFTER THE ACCIDENT HE OBSERVED AIRPLANES LANDING ON RWY 15.  A THUNDERSTORM WITH MODERATED RAIN SHOWERS WAS LOCATED 22 NM SSE OF THE ACCIDENT ARPT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6522D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6522D-2018-03-06), registration cancelled 2018-03-06, S/N 17272843 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172N
- Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17272843
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Stetson Air, Inc., doing business as Ambassador Airways, Inc.
- Registered owner: Seneca I Associates, Inc.
- Departed: ZPH, ZEPHYRHILLS, FL
- Airport: PGD, Punta Gorda, runway 33, 4,800 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 24; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 65 total, 15 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 250° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,400 ft broken
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: FMY, 22 nm away

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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