# NTSB NYC03LA065: Cessna 172P, N30EF, Linden, NJ, March 10, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 10, 2003, 15:50 local (20:50 UTC) - Place: Linden, NJ - Coordinates: 40.6175, -74.24472 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.6175&lon=-74.2447&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 3, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 56618 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC03LA065 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/56618/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC03LA065 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate compensation for the crosswind and his failure to maintain directional control during landing. Factors in the accident were the crosswind and the snowbank. ## 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 - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - snowbank (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot flew a local flight and returned to land at the departure airport. When he returned there was a strong crosswind. During his first attempt to land on runway 27, a 4,137 foot long, 100 foot wide, asphalt runway, he was too far left of the runway and performed a go-around. During the second approach, one main wheel touched down on the runway, followed by the other. After touchdown, the pilot encountered a strong gust of wind which pushed the airplane off to the left side of the runway. The airplane's left main landing wheel then struck a snowbank on the left side of the runway, and the airplane ended up in a drainage ditch. The pilot reported his total flight experience to be 103 hours, all in make and model. Winds reported at an airport about 5 miles northeast, were from 320 degrees at 12 knots, gusting to 19. ## Factual narrative On March 10, 2003, about 1550 eastern standard time, a Cessna 172P, N30EF, was substantially damaged when it struck a snowbank during landing at the Linden Airport, Linden, New Jersey. The certificated private pilot and passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local flight which originated at Linden Airport. No flight plan had been filed for the personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to the pilot, when he returned to Linden after the local flight, there was a strong cross wind. During his first attempt to land on runway 27, a 4,137 foot long, 100 foot wide, asphalt runway, he was too far left of the runway and performed a go-around. During the second approach, one main wheel touched down on the runway, followed by the other. After touchdown, the pilot encountered a strong gust of wind which pushed the airplane off the left side of the runway. The airplane's left main landing wheel then struck a snowbank, and the airplane ended up in a drainage ditch. According to a witness who was also a pilot, he observed the airplane perform a go-around. During the second approach it appeared the airplane was stable, entered a flare, and touched down near the center of the runway. The airplane's right wing then appeared to rise, along with the right main landing wheel, and the airplane began to veer left. The airplane also began a series of small bounces to the left, until the airplane's left main tire rolled through snow that remained along the left side of the runway. The witness further stated: "...just prior to Taxiway Delta, the left main tire struck a large snow and ice bank, forcing the left main strut upward and toward the rear of the aircraft. The aircraft then suddenly veered left towards the ditch, at which time the left wing tip struck the ground, the nosewheel came detached, and the aircraft ended up at the bottom of the ditch." The witness also stated that the wind sock indicated a west-northwest wind that was "fairly gusty." According to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, the airplane did a partial ground loop, which resulted in damage to the left wing tip, engine cowling, propeller blades, firewall, and underside of the fuselage. The nose and left main landing gear were also collapsed. The pilot reported his total flight experience to be 103 hours, all in make and model. At 1551, winds reported at the Newark International Airport, Newark, New Jersey, about 5 miles northeast of Linden, were from 320 degrees at 12 knots, gusting to 19. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N30EF](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N30EF-2021-12-04), registration cancelled 2021-12-04, S/N 17275849, built 1982 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172P - Registry model: [Cessna 172P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172p) (registry code 2072436) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-320-series) (registry code 41509, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17275849 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-D2J 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Air Fleet Training Systems - Registered owner: Genesus One Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: LDJ, Linden, NJ - Destination: LDJ, NJ - Airport: LDJ, Linden, runway 27, 4,137 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 38; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 103 total, 103 in this make and model, 61 as pilot in command, 21 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 320° at 12 knots, gusting 19 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 34 °F, dew point 66 °F - Altimeter: 30.10 inHg - Observed at: EWR, 5 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 20030310035249A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030310035249A), Mar 10, 2003: Cessna 172P, Linden, NJ, Substantial damage. (-23) After a local VFR flight the pilot attempted to land on runway 27 at Linden Airport. The winds were gusting from approximately 330. The first attempt… 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.