# NTSB NYC92LA104: Cessna 172N, N19801, Dexter, ME, June 9, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 9, 1992, 09:30 local (13:30 UTC)
- Place: Dexter, ME
- Location: 45.0045° N, 69.2374° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at DEXTER RGNL (1B0), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.0045&lon=-69.2374&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 26, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 37160
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC92LA104
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37160/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC92LA104

## Probable cause

A FAILURE OF THE TOP TORQUE LINK BOLT ON THE NOSE LANDING GEAR WHICH RESULTED IN A LANDING WITH A FLAT STRUT AND MISALIGNED WHEEL.

## 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
  - landing gear,nose gear - failure,partial (cause)
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - grass (cause)

## Analysis

THE AIRPLANE VEERED SHARPLY TO THE RIGHT WHEN THE NOSE WHEEL TOUCHED DOWN DURING LANDING ON RUNWAY 34.  THE PILOT SAID THAT HE 'TRIED TO CORRECT THIS USING RUDDER AND AILERON BUT COULD NOT.  WHEN THE NOSE WHEEL WENT OFF THE RUNWAY IT DUG INTO THE GROUND AND THE PLANE FLIPPED OVER.'  THE PILOT REPORTED A SHIMMY IN THE NOSEWHEEL DURING HIS LAST TAKEOFF. THE FAA FOUND NO HYDRAULIC FLUID IN THE STRUT OR ON THE CLEAN, DRY RUNWAY; AND THE NOSE GEAR TOP TORQUE LINK BOLT WAS MISSING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N19801](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N19801), registered now, S/N 17260764, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172N
- Registry model: [Cessna 172M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172m) (registry code 2072418) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17260764
- Airframe hours: 3752
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Dexter Aero Club
- Registered owner: Dexter Aero Club
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 1991
- Departed: SLK, SARANAC LAKE, NY
- Destination: 1BO, DEXTER, ME
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: 1B0, Dexter, runway 34, 3,000 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 171.6 total, 80.8 in this make and model, 119.1 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 5.8 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 340° at 14 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 50 °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 19920609019099A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920609019099A), Jun 9, 1992: Cessna 172M, Dexter, ME, Substantial damage. Top nose gear torque link fell out. Allowed strut extend fluid air leak out. Flat strut cocked nosewheel on landing

## Other investigations on N19801 (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 ERA21LA074](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21LA074), Dec 11, 2020: Cessna 172 (N19801), Dexter, ME, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s loss of directional control while landing, which resulted in an encounter with snow and subsequent nose 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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