# NTSB MIA98LA146: Cessna 172RG, N9769B, Greenville, SC, April 26, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 26, 1998, 13:34 local (17:34 UTC) - Place: Greenville, SC - Coordinates: 34.850151, -82.399772 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.8502&lon=-82.3998&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 8, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 38510 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA98LA146 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/38510/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA98LA146 ## Probable cause The pilot's use of full flaps while landing in a strong crosswind resulting in loss of directional control during the landing roll. ## Analysis During landing roll in a crosswind from the right a gust caused the aircraft to initially turn into the wind. The right wing raised up and the aircraft veered to the left, going off the left side of the runway and colliding with construction barricades and a ditch. The wing flaps were found fully extended after the accident. The Pilot Operating Handbook for the aircraft states when landing in a strong crosswind, use the minimum flap setting required for the field length. The landing runway was 5,393 feet long. ## Factual narrative On April 26, 1998, about 1334 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172RG, N9769B, registered to Atlantic Aero Incorporated, was damaged when the pilot lost directional control during landing at Greenville Downtown Airport, Greenville, South Carolina, while on a Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The aircraft received substantial damage and the private-rated pilot was not injured. The flight originated from Greensboro, North Carolina, the same day, about 1205. The pilot stated that while on approach to runway 18 the winds were reported to be from 210 degrees at 14 knots. The aircraft touched down on the runway centerline and he applied full right aileron to correct for the wind. A gust of wind, estimated to be about 24 knots, caused the aircraft to veer to the right to a 240-250 degree heading. The right wing lifted and the aircraft veered back to the left. The aircraft then collided with construction barricades at the intersection of runway 18 and runway 27 and went off the left side of the runway into a ditch. Postcrash examination of the aircraft by an FAA inspector showed the wing flaps were fully extended to 30 degrees. The Pilot Operating Handbook for the Cessna 172RG states, "When landing in a strong crosswind, use the minimum flap setting required for the field length." (See attached page from handbook.) ## 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 - flaps - improper use of, pilot in command (cause) - directional control - not possible, pilot in command - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command - On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll - object - wall/barricade ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9769B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9769B-2011-10-21), registration cancelled 2011-10-21, S/N 172RG1023, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172RG - Registry model: [Cessna 172RG](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172rg) (registry code 2072438) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 172RG1023 - Airframe hours: 4700 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-F1A6 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Atlantic Aero Incorporated - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: AAIP, January 9, 1998, 96 hours before - Departed: GSO, GREENSBORO, NC - Destination: GMU - Airport: GMU, Greenville Downtown, runway 18, 5,393 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 40; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 230 total, 13 in this make and model, 170 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 250° at 18 knots, gusting 22 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 43 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: GMU, 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 19980426007759A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980426007759A), Apr 26, 1998: Cessna 172RG, Greenville, SC, Substantial damage. Lost control landing in strong gusty surface wind. Hit a barrier and went into a ditch. Had full flaps. Not advised. (-23) on April 26, 1998, at 1335 EDT, a… ## Other investigations on N9769B (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 CHI88LA209](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI88LA209), Aug 14, 1988: Cessna 172RG (N9769B), Mt. Vernon, OH, 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.