# NTSB NYC87LA141: Cessna 172K, N78506, Palmyra, PA, May 5, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 5, 1987, 17:50 local (21:50 UTC)
- Place: Palmyra, PA
- Coordinates: 40.299705, -76.590179 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.2997&lon=-76.5902&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 11, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30642
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC87LA141
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30642/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC87LA141

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment (contributing factor)

## Analysis

STUDENT PILOT EXPERIENCED UP AND DOWNDRAFTS WHILE ON APPROACH FOR LANDING AT REIGLE AIRPORT. THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING ROLL OUT, RAN OFF THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY, AND ACROSS A GRASS FIELD. THE ACFT THEN NOSED OVER WHEN THE NOSE WHEEL DUG INTO THE WET EARTH AT THE EDGE OF A DIRT FARM FIELD.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N78506](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N78506-1989-03-21), registration cancelled 1989-03-21, S/N 17257643 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172K
- Registry model: [Cessna 172K](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172k) (registry code 2072430) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17257643
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D2J 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Charles Reigle
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Airport: 58N, Reigle Field, runway 31, 1,955 × 40 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 22; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 8 total, 8 in this make and model, 8 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.