# NTSB NYC02LA121: Cessna 172N, N5408E, Lynchburg, VA, June 22, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 22, 2002, 12:10 local (16:10 UTC) - Place: Lynchburg, VA - Coordinates: 37.367778, -79.117225 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.3678&lon=-79.1172&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 17, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA Maryland - NTSB case key (mKey): 55036 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC02LA121 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/55036/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=55036 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC02LA121 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane, a factor was the tailwind. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor) - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll - object - tree(s) ## Analysis The pilot flew an approach to runway 28, a 2,900 foot-long asphalt runway. The pilot set the flaps to 40 degrees, and prior to touching down, he noticed a "severe incline" in the runway. A go-around was initiated and then aborted when the pilot decided there was enough runway on which to land. After touch down, a gust of wind hit the right wing. The pilot was unable to keep the airplane on the runway, and it veered off the left side. The airplane impacted trees, and came to rest on a grassy area. The airplane was loaded with "about" 4 boxes, each filled with books. The pilot did not remember the exact amount of boxes in the airplane, or the weights of these boxes, but he added that there were a "couple" of boxes on the rear seat, and a "couple" in the rear cargo compartment. Examination of the airplane found the elevator trim in the full nose down position, and the flaps set to 20 degrees. Weather about the time of the accident included winds from 090 degrees at 8 knots. ## Factual narrative On June 22, 2002, about 1210 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172N, N5408E, was substantially damaged while landing at the Falwell Airport (W24), Lynchburg, Virginia. The certificated private pilot and passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight that departed the Carroll County Regional/Jack B. Poage Field (DMW), Westminster, Maryland. No flight plan was filed for the personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to the pilot, the flight from Caroll County Airport was "uneventful." The pilot intended to land on runway 28, a 2,900-foot long, 50-foot wide asphalt surface. The pilot stated that on approach to W24, he "came in at a slow speed, and had the flaps set at 40 degrees." Prior to touching down, he noticed a "severe incline" in the runway, and decided to perform a go-around. The pilot then aborted the go-around when he realized he had enough runway on which to land. After touch down, a gust of wind hit the right wing. The pilot was unable to keep the airplane on the runway, and it veered off the left side. The airplane impacted trees, and came to rest on a grassy area. In addition, the pilot stated that he loaded the airplane with "about" 4 boxes, each filled with books being delivered to a friend. He could not remember the exact amount of boxes in the airplane, or the weights of these boxes, but he added that there were a "couple" of boxes on the rear seat, and a "couple" in the rear cargo compartment. According to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, the elevator trim was found in the full nose down position, and the flaps were set at 20 degrees. The pilot did not report any malfunctions of the airplane, and his reported total flight time was 67 hours, with 13 hours in the same make and model as the accident airplane. The runway was reported to be in good condition, and uncontaminated. A weather observation, recorded at an airport about 5 miles North-East of W24, included winds from 090 degrees at 8 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5408E](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5408E), registered now, S/N 17271846, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172N - 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: 17271846 - Airframe hours: 2209 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Timothy Olin Niles - Registered owner: Technology Support Services - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 5, 2002, 5 hours before - Departed: DMW, WESTMINSTER, MD - Destination: W24, Lynchburg, VA - Airport: W24, Falwell Airport, runway 28, 2,900 × 50 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 37; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review January 25, 2002; seat: left; flight hours: 68 total, 13 in this make and model, 15 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 90° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 30.40 inHg - Observed at: LYH ## 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 20020622018399A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020622018399A), Jun 22, 2002: Cessna 172N, Lynchburg, VA, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot stated that he was attempting to land. The airplane "ballooned" and he attempted to go-around. He encountered a wind gust and was blown off to the… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 29, 2003, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=55036. 518 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 308 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40448695&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Memorandum for record (item 2, .PDF, 67 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40175166&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20record-Master.PDF - Attorney Memo for Record (item 3, .PDF, 114 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40448696&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Attorney%20Memo%20for%20Record-Master.PDF - Weight and balance information. (item 4, .PDF, 28 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40175169&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weight%20and%20balance%20information.-Master.PDF 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.