# NTSB NYC89LA102: Cessna 172, N5517R, Honesdale, PA, March 16, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 16, 1989, 16:30 local (21:30 UTC)
- Place: Honesdale, PA
- Coordinates: 41.570579, -75.250801 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.5706&lon=-75.2508&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report May 22, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36386
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC89LA102
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36386/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC89LA102

## Probable cause

THE LOSS OF DIRECTIONAL CONTROL BY THE PILOT DURING LANDING.

## 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
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT WHILE LANDING A GUST OF WIND CAUGHT THE AIRCRAFT FROM THE LEFT AND PUSHED IT OFF THE SIDE OF THE RUNWAY INTO SOFT MUD. THE WHEEL DUG INTO THE MUD AND THE AIRCRAFT NOSED OVER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5517R](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5517R), registered now, S/N 17253093 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- Registry model: [Cessna 172F](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172f) (registry code 2072414) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17253093
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300-D 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Richard Valentino
- Registered owner: Richard & Nancy Valentino
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 19, 1988, 84 hours before
- Departed: N30, HANESDALE, PA
- Airport: N30, Cherry Ridge, runway 35, 2,270 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; student; medical: class 3, unknown; seat: left; flight hours: 25 total, 25 in this make and model, 2 as pilot in command, 13 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 320° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 39 °F, dew point 19 °F

## 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 19890316004109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890316004109A), Mar 16, 1989: Cessna 172, Honesdale, PA, Substantial damage. Student lost control on landing. Ran off runway and aircraft nosed over.

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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