# NTSB MIA99LA084: Cessna 172K, N75RR, Marathon, FL, February 14, 1999

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 14, 1999, 09:30 local (14:30 UTC)
- Place: Marathon, FL
- Coordinates: 24.709638, -81.079856 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=24.7096&lon=-81.0799&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 25, 2001
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 45780
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA99LA084
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/45780/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA99LA084

## Probable cause

The pilot's improper use of elevator control while landing in gusty winds resulting in the aircraft nosing down and the propeller and wing contacting the runway.

## Sequence of events

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

- Nose down, landing - roll
  - weather condition - gusts
  - elevator - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

While landing on runway 7 with winds reported to be from 360 degrees to 010 degrees at 15-16 knots, with gusts to 21 knots, the pilot applied forward elevator control and the aircraft nosed down and the propeller and right wing contacted the runway.

## Factual narrative

On February 14, 1999, about 0930 eastern standard time, a Cessna 172K, N75RR, registered to an individual, nosed down during landing at Marathon Airport, Marathon, Florida, 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 and one passenger were not injured. The flight originated from Lantana, Florida, the same day, about 0800.

The pilot stated he received the current weather conditions from the unicom operator as he approached Marathon Airport for landing. The active runway was 7 and he would have a quartering tailwind at 18 knots with gusts to 22 knots during landing. He landed on runway 7 and encountered strong quartering tailwinds that affected the steering of the aircraft. He pushed forward on the elevator control to get the nose wheel on the runway and the wind lifted the tail causing the propeller and right wing to contact the runway. He regained control and taxied to the ramp.

The Marathon Airport, 0853 eastern standard time automated surface weather observation reported winds were from 360 degrees at 16 knots with gusts to 21 knots. The 0953 surface weather observation reported winds were from 010 degrees at 15 knots with gusts to 21 knots. (See attached weather reports)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N75RR](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N75RR-2019-09-06), registration cancelled 2019-09-06, S/N 17257544, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Cessna 172K
- Registry model: [Cessna 172K](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172k) (registry code 2072430) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17257544
- Airframe hours: 6821
- Engines: Lycoming O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Palm Beach Flight Training
- Registered owner: Conward E. Johnson
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, February 8, 1999, 13 hours before
- Departed: LNA, LANTANA, FL
- Destination: MTH
- Airport: MTH, Marathon, runway 7, 5,008 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 68; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 175 total, 118 in this make and model, 31 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 10° at 15 knots, gusting 21
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MTH, 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 19990214001429A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990214001429A), Feb 14, 1999: Cessna 172K, Marathon, FL, Substantial damage. Acft was taxiing when a gust of wind lifted the tail, and the right wing and propeller sustained 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.

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