# NTSB NYC07CA078: Cessna 172R, N441QF, Norfolk, VA, March 9, 2007

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: March 9, 2007, 12:55 local (17:55 UTC)
- Place: Norfolk, VA
- Coordinates: 36.894721, -76.201385
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.8947&lon=-76.2014&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 29, 2007
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: FAA/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 65416
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC07CA078
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/65416/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC07CA078

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control while landing, which resulted in a collision with a runway sign.  A factor was the crosswind.

## 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 - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing
  - object - sign

## Analysis

The pilot of a Cessna 172R was landing on runway 5, a 9,001-foot-long, 150-foot-wide, asphalt runway.  On short final approach, the pilot performed a sideslip to correct for the crosswind.  Upon landing, the airplane felt unbalanced and began to veer to the right.  The pilot tried to correct with rudder, but the airplane departed the right side of the runway and struck a runway sign.  The recorded winds about the time of the accident were from 120 degrees at 8 knots.  Examination of the airplane did not reveal any preimpact mechanical malfunctions, nor did the pilot report any.

## Factual narrative

The pilot of a Cessna 172R was landing on runway 5, a 9,001-foot-long, 150-foot-wide, asphalt runway.  The pilot stated that the winds were unfavorable, blowing from 110 degrees at 7 knots.  On short final approach, the pilot performed a sideslip maneuver to correct for the crosswind.  Upon landing, the airplane felt unbalanced and began to veer to the right.  The pilot tried to correct with rudder, but the airplane departed the right side of the runway and struck a runway sign.  The right main landing gear separated, and the airplane came to rest upright in a grass area off the right side of the runway.  The recorded winds about the time of the accident were from 120 degrees at 8 knots.  Examination of the airplane did not reveal any preimpact mechanical malfunctions, nor did the pilot report any.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N441QF](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N441QF), registered now, S/N 17280278, built 1997 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Cessna 172R
- Registry model: [Cessna 172R](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172r) (registry code 2072401) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17280278
- Engines: Lycoming IO-360 reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Academy of Aviation
- Registered owner: Christiansen Aviation Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: FRG, Farmingdale, NY
- Destination: ORF, Norfolk, VA
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: ORF, Norfolk International Airport, runway 5, 9,001 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3; flight hours: 239 total, 213 in this make and model, 183 as pilot in command, 43 in the last 90 days, 13 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 120° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 30 °F
- Altimeter: 30.45 inHg
- Observed at: ORF

## 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 20070309003189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070309003189A), Mar 9, 2007: Cessna 172R, Norfolk, VA, Substantial damage. (-23) Upon landing (rwy 5), the pilot in command (PIC) felt unbalanced and lost directional control. Tried to correct with rudder and went off the runway 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.

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