# NTSB MIA97LA128: Cessna 172M, N1385U, Tampa, FL, April 5, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 5, 1997, 10:30 local (15:30 UTC) - Place: Tampa, FL - Coordinates: 27.959615, -82.490165 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.9596&lon=-82.4902&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 30, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 38254 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA97LA128 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/38254/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA97LA128 ## Probable cause the pilot's improper compensation for wind conditions and failure to properly flare the airplane for landing. Factors relating to the accident were: the gusty/quartering wind conditions, and the pilot's improper use of flaps for landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - flaps - improper use of, pilot in command (contributing factor) - flare - not attained, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis While inbound to land, the pilot was advised that the wind was from 150 degrees at 19 gusting 24 knots. He continued and was cleared to land on runway 18L. The pilot elected to land with the flaps fully extended. While crossing over the runway threshold, the airplane encountered a gust of wind. The airplane then rolled to the right, ballooned, stalled, and impacted the runway nose and right wing low. ## Factual narrative On April 5, 1997, about 1030 eastern standard time, a Cessna 172M, N1385U, registered to the Crystal Aero Group, Inc., was substantially damaged on landing at the Tampa International Airport, Tampa, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. The private-rated pilot and pilot-rated passenger were not injured. The flight originated from the Crystal River Airport, Crystal River, Florida, about 1 hour earlier. The pilot was advised by the ATIS while inbound to land that the wind was from 150 degrees at 19 knots with gusts to 24 knots. The flight continued and was cleared to land on runway 18L. While over the runway threshold with the flaps fully extended, the airplane encountered a gust of wind. The pilot then relaxed the aileron control and the airplane rolled to the right, then ballooned, stalled, and impacted the ground nose and right wing low. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1385U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1385U-2016-09-13), registration cancelled 2016-09-13, S/N 17267056, 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: 17267056 - Airframe hours: 7454 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-A4M 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Crystal Aero Group, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, January 2, 1997, 84 hours before - Departed: X31, CRYSTAL RIVER, FL - Destination: TPA - Airport: TPA, Tampa International, runway 18L, 8,300 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 67; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 72 total, 4 in this make and model, 27 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 150° at 19 knots, gusting 24 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 64 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: TPA ## 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 19970405005219A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970405005219A), Apr 5, 1997: Cessna 172M, Tampa, FL, Substantial damage. Made hard landing. (.4)while inbound to land, the pilot was advised that the wind was from 150 degrees at 19 gusting 24 knots. He continued and was cleared to… ## Other investigations on N1385U (2) 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 MIA02LA024](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA02LA024), Nov 20, 2001: Cessna 172M (N1385U), Crystal River, FL, substantial damage. Probable cause: the pilot's failure to keep a proper visual lookout and ensure proper clearance during taxi operations, which resulted in a collision with vehicles. - [NTSB MIA95LA035](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA95LA035), Nov 23, 1994: Cessna 172M (N1385U), Crystal River, FL, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT IN COMMAND'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN VISUAL OUTLOOK DURING TAXIING. 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.