# NTSB NYC91LA081: Cessna 172P, N97313, Nashua, NH, March 1, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 1, 1991, 14:30 local (19:30 UTC)
- Place: Nashua, NH
- Location: 42.7824° N, 71.5141° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at BOIRE FLD (ASH), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.7824&lon=-71.5141&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 10, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36883
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC91LA081
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36883/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC91LA081

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO COMPENSATE FOR WIND CONDITIONS DURING LANDING, RESULTING IN A LOSS OF CONTROL AND COLLISION WITH A TREE.

## 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
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PILOT WAS COMPLETING A SOLO CROSS COUNTRY.  DURING LANDING HE SAID, 'IN THE LANDING FLARE A GUST OF WIND ESTIMATED AT 20 KNOTS STRUCK THE AIRCRAFT...THE AIRCRAFT ROTATED 80 DEGREES LEFT OF CENTERLINE.  AFTER MAKING ATTEMPTS TO CORRECT I PULLED BACK THE POWER AND TRIED TO STOP.' THE AIRPLANE STRUCK A TREE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N97313](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N97313), registered now, S/N 17276177, built 1984 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172P
- Registry model: [Cessna 172P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172p) (registry code 2072436) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17267177
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D2J 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Civil Air Patrol
- Registered owner: Civil Air Patrol
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000
- Departed: SFZ, PAWTUCKET, RI
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: ASH, Nashua, runway 14, 5,500 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 64 total, 59 in this make and model, 22 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 10 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 34 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 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 19910301004169A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910301004169A), Mar 1, 1991: Cessna 172P, Nashua, NH, Substantial damage. During landing flare wind gust caused pilot to lose control. Ran off runway. Left wing struck a tree.

## Other investigations on N97313 (1)

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.

- [NTSB NYC88LA012](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC88LA012), Oct 17, 1987: Cessna 172P (N97313), Bedford, MA, substantial damage

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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