# NTSB NYC84LA309: Cessna 172N, N5258E, Gaithersburg, MD, September 11, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 11, 1984, 15:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Gaithersburg, MD
- Coordinates: 39.170463, -77.180229 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.1705&lon=-77.1802&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35764
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC84LA309
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35764/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC84LA309

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ditch

## Analysis

DUE TO A LEFT DRIFTING TENDENCY THE SOLO STUDENT PLT ABORTED THE FIRST LANDING. ON TOUCHDOWN FOR THE SECOND APCH, THE ACFT AGAIN VEERED LEFT AND CONTINUED OFF OF THE RWY COLLIDING WITH A DITCH. THERE WERE NO MECHANICAL MALFUNCTONS REPORTED OR DISCOVERED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5258E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5258E-2013-01-31), registration cancelled 2013-01-31, S/N 17271801, built 1978 (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: 17271801
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Gilbert S. Meem  Jr.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, July 10, 1984
- Airport: GA1, Montgomery, runway 32, 4,235 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 22 total, 22 in this make and model, 2 as pilot in command, 22 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 190° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Altimeter: 29.00 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 19840911047969A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840911047969A), Sep 11, 1984: Cessna 172N, Gaithersburg, MD, Destroyed. Touched down with left quartering tailwind. Veered left off of runway, ran into 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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