# NTSB NYC89LA023: Cessna 172RG, N9307D, Robbinsville, NJ, November 6, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 6, 1988, 15:30 local (20:30 UTC)
- Place: Robbinsville, NJ
- Location: 40.2146° N, 74.6193° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Robbinsville, NJ, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.2146&lon=-74.6193&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 25, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36330
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC89LA023
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36330/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC89LA023

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO ADEQUATELY CORRECT FOR THE CROSSWIND AND MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT DURING A CROSSWIND LANDING.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, landing - flare/touchdown
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - wind information - inaccurate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - sign

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT WAS BEING FLOWN FROM THE RIGHT SEAT BY A PERSON PRACTICING FOR HER CFI RATING. SHE CHECKED THE WINDS PRIOR TO TAKEOFF AND DETERMINED THE CROSSWIND COMPONENT WAS 9-11 KNOTS. ON HER FIRST APPROACH, SHE MADE A GO AROUND DUE TO THE WINDS. ON THE SECOND APPROACH, SHE CORRECTED FOR THE CROSSWIND; HOWEVER, AS SHE FLARED A GUST OF WIND CAUGHT THE ACFT AND IT TOUCHED DOWN WITH THE LEFT MAIN WHEEL ON THE RUNWAY AND THE RIGHT MAIN WHEEL OFF THE RUNWAY IN THE SOD. THE AIRCRAFT CONTINUED TO DRIFT RIGHT STRIKING SIGNS AND A WEATHER BOX. AFTER THE ACCIDENT, WHEN SHE CHECKED THE WINDS, SHE FOUND SHE HAD MISCALCULATED AND THE ACTUAL CROSSWIND COMPONENT WAS 16-22 KNOTS. SHE SAID SHE WOULD NOT HAVE FLOWN IN THE HIGHER WINDS HAD SHE KNOWN OF HER ERROR.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9307D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9307D), registered now, S/N 172RG1114, built 1982 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172RG
- Registry model: [Cessna 172RG](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172rg) (registry code 2072438) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 172RG 01114
- Airframe hours: 2188
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-F 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Aero Venture, Inc.
- Registered owner: Aero Venture Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 8, 1988, 88 hours before
- Departed: N47, ROBBINSVILLE, NJ
- Airport: N47, Trenton/Robbinsville, runway 29, 4,290 × 80 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 570 total, 95 in this make and model, 410 as pilot in command, 34 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 16 knots, gusting 18
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 37 °F
- 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 19881106051189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19881106051189A), Nov 6, 1988: Cessna 172RG, Robbinsville, NJ, Substantial damage. Landed with one wheel off runway in soft ground. Veered into various items.

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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