# NTSB NYC82DA031: Cessna 172N, N738QM, Wrightstown, NJ, February 7, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: February 7, 1982, 12:45 local (17:45 UTC)
- Place: Wrightstown, NJ
- Location: 40.0256° N, 74.6319° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Wrightstown, NJ, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.0256&lon=-74.6319&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 5 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 7, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 73097
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC82DA031
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/73097/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC82DA031

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, landing
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - go-around - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT RETURNED FROM A LOCAL FLIGHT WITH FOUR PASSENGERS ON BOARD. THE AIRCRAFT GROSS WEIGHT WAS NEAR THE MAXIMUM LIMIT AND THE CENTER OF GRAVITY WAS NEAR THE FORWARD LIMIT. THE PILOT ENTERED THE TRAFFIC PATTERN FOR LANDING ON RUNWAY 36. THE WIND WAS FROM 270 DEGREES AT 10 GUSTING 21 KTS. ON FINAL, THE PILOT HAD LOWERED THE FLAPS TO 20 DEGREES AND THE AIRSPEED WAS AT 60 KTS. ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, THE AIRCRAFT WAS DRIFTING TO THE RIGHT WHEN HE APPLIED LEFT AILERON AND RIGHT RUDDER TO CORRECT FOR THE DRIFT. AT AN ALTITUDE OF ABOUT 50 FT, A DECISION WAS MADE TO GO-AROUND. HE APPLIED FULL POWER AND TURNED THE CARBURETOR HEAT OFF. THE PILOT STATED THAT THE PLANE SETTLEDTO 5 FT AGL AND THE SPEED INCREASED TO 80 KTS. THE FLAPS WERE RAISED, THE TRIM WAS NEUTRALIZED, AND THE PLANE DRIFTED RIGHT. THE PILOT STATED HE WAS UNABLE TO APPLY ENOUGH BACK PRESSURE TO PULL UP. THE PLANE TOUCHED DOWN ON AN INACTIVE RUNWAY, BECAME AIRBORNE AGAIN, THEN TOUCHED DOWN NOSE FIRST AT THE EDGE OF THE RAMP.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N738QM](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N738QM), registered now, S/N 17270155, built 1977 (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: 17270155
- Airframe hours: 1281
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Mcguire A.F. Aero Club
- Registered owner: Cary E. Williams
- Departed: WRIGHTSTOWN, NJ
- Destination: WRIGHTSTOWN, NJ
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: Mcguire Afb, runway 36, 7,155 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 81 total, 81 in this make and model, 56 as pilot in command, 18 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Temperature: 93 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19820207003569A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820207003569A), Feb 7, 1982: Cessna 172N, Wrightstown, NJ, Substantial damage. Pilot had four passengers in 4 seat airplane. Crash occurred during landing in crosswind condtions.

## Other investigations on N738QM (1)

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.

- [NTSB MIA03LA098](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA03LA098), Apr 10, 2003: Cessna 172N (N738QM), Foxworth, MS, substantial damage. Probable cause: The failure of the pilot to perform a go-around, his failure to attain the proper touchdown point, and his delay in applying the normal brakes resulting in his inability to stop the airplane 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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