# NTSB NYC05CA072: Cessna 172B, N7653X, Collegeville, PA, April 16, 2005

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: April 16, 2005, 10:52 local (14:52 UTC)
- Place: Collegeville, PA
- Coordinates: 40.203887, -75.43
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.2039&lon=-75.4300&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 7, 2005
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 61322
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC05CA072
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/61322/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC05CA072

## Probable cause

The pilot's inadvertent encounter with a downdraft, which resulted in a collision with trees.  A factor related to the accident was the downdraft wind conditions.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor)
  - flight into adverse weather - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - tree(s)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - roadway/highway

## Analysis

As the airplane crossed over a treeline on final approach to the runway, it encountered a sudden downdraft.  The airplane then began to descend, and the left wing impacted a tree.  The airplane rotated to the left, continued to descend, and impacted a road, before coming to rest inverted.  The winds reported at an airport located about 6 miles to the west, at 1054, were from 050 degrees at 12 knots, gusts to 17 knots.

## Factual narrative

On April 16, 2005, about 1052 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172B, N7653X, was substantially damaged while landing at the Perkiomen Valley Airport (N10), Collegeville, Pennsylvania.  The certificated private pilot and passenger were not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the flight that originated from Coatesville, Pennsylvania.  The personal flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.

According the pilot, as the airplane crossed over a treeline on final approach to runway 9, it encountered a sudden downdraft.  The airplane then began to descend, and the left wing impacted a tree.  The airplane rotated to the left, continued to descend, and impacted a road, before coming to rest inverted.

The winds reported at an airport located about 6 miles to the west, at 1054, were from 050 degrees at 12 knots, gusts to 17 knots.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7653X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7653X-2007-10-22), registration cancelled 2007-10-22, S/N 17248153, built 1960 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Cessna 172B
- Registry model: [Cessna 172B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172b) (registry code 2072406) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17248153
- Airframe hours: 2772
- Engines: Continental O-300 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Claudia E. Garner
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 10, 2004, 10 hours before
- Departed: 40N, Chester County, PA
- Destination: N10, Collegeville, PA
- Airport: N10, Perkiomen Valley Airport, runway 09, 2,950 × 40 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; injuries: none; private; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review January 29, 2005; seat: left; flight hours: 121 total, 51 in this make and model, 76 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 40° at 12 knots, gusting 19
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 16 °F
- Altimeter: 30.60 inHg
- Observed at: PTW, 6 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 20050416005269A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050416005269A), Apr 16, 2005: Cessna 172B, Collegeville, PA, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot said she was high on final approach to clear trees. She said her airspeed was 70-75 mph. After clearing the trees, she said the airplane entered a…

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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