# NTSB NYC04CA068: Cessna 172E, N369WP, Batavia, NY, February 15, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: February 15, 2004, 16:50 local (21:50 UTC) - Place: Batavia, NY - Coordinates: 43.031665, -78.167503 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.0317&lon=-78.1675&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 28, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 58742 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC04CA068 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/58742/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC04CA068 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control while landing. Factors were a tailwind and icy runway. ## 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 - terrain condition - icy (contributing factor) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - snowbank ## Analysis The pilot was landing on runway 10, a 4,403-foot long, 100-foot wide runway. Runway 10 consisted of asphalt, with some patches of ice. The pilot approached the runway fast, and landed about halfway down the runway. The tailwheel airplane began to swerve, and the pilot applied left rudder to prevent a ground loop. However, the airplane traveled off the left side of the runway, struck a snow bank, and came to rest inverted. According to the pilot and weather reports at airports near the accident site, the airplane landed with a left quartering tailwind. ## Factual narrative On February 15, 2004, about 1650 eastern standard time, a Cessna 172E, N369WP, was substantially damaged while landing at Genesee County Airport (GVQ), Batavia, New York. The certificated private pilot and passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight that departed Buffalo Airport (9G0), Buffalo, New York. No flight plan was filed for the personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to the pilot's written statement, he landed on runway 10, a 4,403-foot long, 100-foot wide, asphalt runway. After touchdown, the tailwheel airplane encountered icy patches on the runway. The pilot subsequently lost control of the aircraft, struck a snow bank, and came to rest inverted. During an interview with a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, the pilot stated that he approached the runway fast, and landed about halfway down the runway. The airplane began to swerve, and the pilot applied left rudder to prevent a ground loop. However, the airplane traveled off the left side of the runway, struck a snow bank, and came to rest inverted. The FAA inspector reported that there were some patches of ice on the runway. The pilot stated that the wind at GVQ was from 350 degrees at 7 knots. The reported wind at an airport approximately 25 miles west of the accident site, at 1654, was from 330 degrees at 8 knots. The reported wind at an airport approximately 25 miles east of the accident site, at 1654, was from 320 degrees at 5 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N369WP](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N369WP-2009-12-15), registration cancelled 2009-12-15, S/N 17251724, built 1964 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172E - Registry model: [Cessna 172E](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172e) (registry code 2072412) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17251724 - Engines: Continental O-300 reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: David Blakeley - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: 9G0, Buffalo, NY - Destination: GVQ, Batavia, NY - Airport: GVQ, Genesee County Airport, runway 10, 4,403 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 50; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3; flight hours: 350 total, 322 in this make and model, 350 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days, 0 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 10 °F ## 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 20040215002019A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040215002019A), Feb 15, 2004: Cessna 172E, Batavia, NY, Substantial damage. (-23) On Sunday, February 15, 2004 at approximately 1650 EST, a Cessna 172E aircraft, bearing registration number N369WP, registered to david blakeley and… 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.