# NTSB NYC98LA081: Cessna 172M, N80512, Weyers Cave, VA, March 22, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 22, 1998, 10:50 local (15:50 UTC) - Place: Weyers Cave, VA - Coordinates: 38.279197, -78.919372 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.2792&lon=-78.9194&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report October 30, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 39544 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC98LA081 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/39544/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC98LA081 ## Probable cause the pilot's inadequate compensation for crosswind conditions and failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during the landing roll, which resulted in an encounter with a fence on uneven terrain and a nose over. ## 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 - weather condition - crosswind - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - ground loop/swerve - On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll - terrain condition - rough/uneven - object - tree(s) - Nose over, landing ## Analysis According to the pilot, flight conditions were gusty with winds from the northwest. He said he flew a final approach to a runway 23 and applied right crosswind corrections on final approach. After landing, the airplane veered off the left side of the runway, went up a small hill, hit a fence, and flipped over. The Automatic Weather Observation System reported the surface winds were from 310 degrees at 6 knots with no gusts at the approximate time of the accident; however, it had consistently reported gusts throughout the day of 17 to 22 knots, ending about 30 minutes before the accident and commencing again 10 minutes after the accident. The pilot received his Private Pilot certification 18 days prior to the accident. ## Factual narrative On March 22, 1998, about 1050 Eastern Standard Time, a Cessna 172M, N80512, was substantially damaged during landing at the Shenandoah Valley Regional Airport (SHD) near Weyers Cave, Virginia. The certificated private pilot and his passenger received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed for the local flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to the pilot, flight conditions were gusty, with winds from the northwest. Shortly after takeoff from Runway 23, the passenger felt uncomfortable, so the pilot elected to remain in the airport pattern for a full stop landing. The pilot stated that he had to apply right crosswind corrections on final, and that he was having trouble selecting desired flap settings due to differences in flap switch operation between this airplane and the one he normally flew. After a 90-95 mph approach, the airplane touched down "fast", first on the right main wheel, and then on the others. The aircraft then "bunny hopped" off the left side of the runway, went up a small hill, hit a fence and flipped over. The pilot felt that he had landed too fast, was unable to compensate for crosswind conditions, and should have gone around for another landing attempt. The local Automatic Weather Observation System (AWOS) recorded winds from 310 degrees at 6 knots with no wind gusts at the approximate time of the accident. Earlier that day, until approximately 30 minutes prior to takeoff, and later that day, commencing about 10 minutes after the landing, the AWOS was continuously recording wind gusts of 17 to 22 knots. According to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Inspector who examined the wreckage, the airplane touched down just prior to the Runway 23 "3,000 feet remaining" marker. It then veered off the left side, traveled approximately 300 feet up a 4 foot embankment, and started down a 60 degree slope when it hit an electric deer fence. In the Inspector's written report, he stated: "...the propeller cut through the electrical fence leaving three separate cuts along the leading edge of one blade. The other blade is bent forward indicating power when it struck the ground. Approximately 18 inches out from the fuselage the right wing is buckled and both wing tips are crushed. The flaps were found extended to 10 degrees. The empennage has slight buckling in various areas from the rear of the cabin to the horizontal stabilizer. The left horizontal stabilizer is damaged from sticking a fence post eight inches out from the empennage covering an eight inch area with a depth of four inches. The vertical stabilizer tip cap and rudder are crushed three inches. No airworthiness issues were identified as a factor in the accident." The pilot was certificated as a private pilot on March 4, 1998. He had accumulated approximately 53 total flight hours, all in make and model. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N80512](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N80512-2013-05-13), registration cancelled 2013-05-13, S/N 17266630, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172M - 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: 17266630 - Airframe hours: 8371 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Shenandoah Flight Services - Registered owner: 512 Flyers LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, February 19, 1998, 28 hours before - Departed: SHD - Airport: SHD, Shenandoah Valley Rgnl, runway 23, 6,002 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 29; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 53 total, 53 in this make and model, 26 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 310° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 3,800 ft broken - Temperature: 41 °F, dew point 30 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: SHD ## 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 19980322004069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980322004069A), Mar 22, 1998: Cessna 172M, Staunton-Waynes, VA, Substantial damage. Lost control landing in crosswind. Bunny hopped off runway uphill. Hit fence. Nosed over. Pilot skill a factor. 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.