# NTSB MKC89LA067: Cessna 172, N6418D, Grand Rapids, MN, February 28, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 28, 1989, 13:30 local (19:30 UTC)
- Place: Grand Rapids, MN
- Coordinates: 47.220348, -93.520545 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.2203&lon=-93.5205&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 28, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34757
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC89LA067
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34757/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC89LA067

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO ADEQUATELY COMPENSATE FOR THE CROSSWIND CONDITIONS. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE GUSTY CROSSWIND CONDITIONS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
- Nose over, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - snowbank

## Analysis

WHILE PRACTICING TAKE-OFFS AND LDGS, THE STUDENT PILOT SAID THAT PRIOR TO TOUCH-DOWN DURING THE LANDING FLARE, A GUST OF WIND CAUSED HIM TO LOSE DIRECTIONAL CONTROL. THE ACFT VEERED OFF THE RUNWAY INTO A SNOW BANK, THEN OVERTURNED. A 60 DEGREE CROSSWIND OF ABOUT 10 KNOTS EXISTED AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6418D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6418D), registered now, S/N 17272793, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17272793
- Airframe hours: 4606
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Mesaba Aviation, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, December 8, 1988, 67 hours before
- Departed: GPZ, GRAND RAPIDS, MN
- Airport: GPZ, Grand Rapids, runway 34, 5,740 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 19; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 34 total, 34 in this make and model, 10 as pilot in command, 13 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 280° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 14 °F, dew point 1 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: GPZ, 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 19890228002749A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890228002749A), Feb 28, 1989: Cessna 172N, Grand Rapids, MI, Substantial damage. Student reported a crosswind gust on landing caused loss of control and aircraft veered into a snowbank.

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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