# NTSB MKC90LA098: Cessna 172, N8472X, Ames, IA, April 29, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 29, 1990, 08:35 local (13:35 UTC)
- Place: Ames, IA
- Coordinates: 42.020683, -93.619117 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.0207&lon=-93.6191&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report September 28, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34972
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC90LA098
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34972/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC90LA098

## Probable cause

THE WRONG RUNWAY WAS SELECTED AND DIRECTIONAL CONTROL WAS NOT MAINTAINED BY THE PILOT IN COMMAND.

## 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 (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - wrong runway - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - air/ground communications - disregarded, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)

## Analysis

UPON ARRIVING AT HIS DESTINATION APT, WITH STRONG, GUSTY, SOUTHEAST SURFACE WINDS REPORTED, THE NEWLY CERTIFICATED PVT PLT ATTEMPTED TO LAND DOWNWIND ON RUNWAY 31. UNABLE TO LAND, THE PILOT RETURNED AND ATTEMPTED TO LAND ON RUNWAY 19. DIRECTIONAL CONTROL WAS LOST ON THE ROLL OUT, AND THE ACFT VEERED OFF THE RUNWAY AND COLLIDED WITH A DITCH, INJURING THE PLT AND PAX AND SUSTAINING SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO THE ACFT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8472X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8472X-1991-01-29), registration cancelled 1991-01-29, S/N 17248972 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- Registry model: [Cessna 172C](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172c) (registry code 2072408) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17248972
- Airframe hours: 4904
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300-D 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Nieman, Robert K.
- Registered owner: Unknown
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 10, 1989, 100 hours before
- Departed: C77, BELVIDERE, IL
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: AMW, Ames, runway 19, 3,747 × 160 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 78 total, 9 in this make and model, 28 as pilot in command, 19 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 130° at 14 knots, gusting 22
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 8,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: DSM, 20 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 19900429014909A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900429014909A), Apr 29, 1990: Cessna 172C, Ames, IA, Substantial damage. Lost control landing in gusty crosswind. Ran off runway into ditch.

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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