# NTSB NYC84LA215: Cessna C172, N738CN, Patton, PA, June 14, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 14, 1984, 17:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Patton, PA
- Coordinates: 40.629398, -78.640586 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.6294&lon=-78.6406&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35688
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC84LA215
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35688/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC84LA215

## Sequence of events

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

- Overrun, landing - roll
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - excessive, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - proper touchdown point - exceeded, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - intentional, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT LANDED FAST AND LONG AND BEFORE RUNNING OFF THE END OF THE 1750 FT RWY HE TURNED RIGHT TOWARD THE RAMP. A GUST OF WIND CAUGHT THE ACFT AND THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH A DITCH BESIDE THE RAMP.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N738CN](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N738CN), registered now, S/N 17269873 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA C172
- 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: 17269873
- Airframe hours: 2700
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Ludwig, Rudel
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: GAITHERSBURG, MD
- Destination: PATTON, PA
- Airport: Holtz Field, runway 6, 1,750 ×  ft

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 314 total, 200 in this make and model, 193 as pilot in command, 55 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 330° at 15 knots, gusting 25
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19840614027739A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840614027739A), Jun 14, 1984: Cessna 172N, Patton, PA, Substantial damage. Landed fast and long. Near end runway turned toward ramp. Wind gust caught the plane. Collided with a ditch.

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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