# NTSB NYC96LA119: Cessna 172F, N8869U, Blairstown, NJ, June 1, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 1, 1996, 14:15 local (18:15 UTC) - Place: Blairstown, NJ - Location: 40.9711° N, 74.9975° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at BLAIRSTOWN (1N7), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.9711&lon=-74.9975&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 20, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 39191 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC96LA119 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/39191/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC96LA119 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to maintain directional control due to improper compensation for wind conditions. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command - On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll - object - tree(s) ## Analysis During landing the pilot experienced a loss of control, and the airplane went off the side of the runway and struck a tree. According to the pilot, 'I experienced a wind shift, from essentially, up the runway to a direct crosswind to the right. This wind shift occurred during my landing flare, and blew me off centerline, and toward the right side of the runway. I immediately took corrective action, but the inertia drove me off the edge of the runway onto the grass along side of (the runway). I continued to attempt corrective action, but because the trajectory of my travel was about 45 degrees along the runway, but on the grass, control was difficult to return. The roll started to straighten out gradually, but by this time, I was along the tree line and the right wing tip clipped a small tree, spinning the nose of the plane into the dirt embankment, and trees, bringing the aircraft to a complete stop.' The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions. ## Factual narrative On June 1, 1996, about 1415 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172F, N8869U, was substantially damaged when it collided with trees and terrain during landing at Blairstown Airport(1N7), New Jersey. The private pilot and passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. No flight plan had been filed for the flight originating in Forty Fort, Pennsylvania. According to the NTSB Form 6120.1/2 the pilot stated that while landing on runway 25, "I experienced a wind shift from, essentially, up the runway to a direct crosswind to the right. This wind shift occurred during my landing flare, and blew me off centerline and toward the right side of the runway. I immediately took corrective action, but the inertia drove me off the edge of the runway onto the grass along side of runway 25. I continued to attempt corrective action, but because the trajectory of my travel was about 45 degrees along the runway, but on the grass, control was difficult to return. The roll started to straighten out gradually, but by this time, I was along the tree line and the right wing tip clipped a small tree, spinning the nose of the plane into the dirt embankment and trees, bringing the aircraft to a complete stop." The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8869U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8869U-1998-08-18), registration cancelled 1998-08-18, S/N 17252785 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172F - Registry model: [Cessna 172F](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172f) (registry code 2072414) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17252785 - Airframe hours: 1600 - Engines: Continental O-300-D 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: William J. Carlin - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 1995, 91 hours before - Departed: WBW, FORTY FORT, PA - Airport: 1N7, Blairstown, runway 25, 3,100 × 55 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 52; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, unknown; seat: right; flight hours: 179 total, 142 in this make and model, 98 as pilot in command, 23 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 260° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: ABE ## 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 19960601016559A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960601016559A), Jun 1, 1996: Cessna 172F, Blairstown, NJ, Substantial damage. Reported windshift on landing flare drifted off runway. Wing hit tree. Swung into bank and trees. Wind reported light 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.