# NTSB SEA01LA098: Cessna 172, N4053F, Rogersburg, WA, May 19, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 19, 2001, 14:30 local (21:30 UTC) - Place: Rogersburg, WA - Coordinates: 46.190277, -117.129272 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.1903&lon=-117.1293&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 21, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA-FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 52324 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA01LA098 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/52324/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA01LA098 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control while on final approach for landing. A tailwind was a factor. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot reported that while on short final to a remote landing strip, the wind shifted to a quartering tailwind. The pilot tried to abort the landing, however, there was not sufficient airspeed for the go-around. The airplane touched down on the main landing gear in a yawed attitude to the direction of travel. When the nose wheel touched, it collapsed and the right wing contacted the surface. The pilot reported no mechanical failures or malfunctions. ## Factual narrative On May 19, 2001, approximately 1430 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 172, N4053F, registered to and operated by the private pilot as a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, collided with the terrain during the landing roll at a private mountain airstrip near Rogersburg, Washington. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The aircraft was substantially damaged and the private pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The flight originated from Lewiston, Idaho, about 30 minutes prior to the accident. During a telephone interview, the pilot reported that while on final approach (up river) and about 10 to 15 feet above ground level, the wind suddenly shifted to a quartering tailwind from the left. The pilot tried to abort the landing, however, there was not sufficient airspeed for the go-around. The airplane touched down on the main landing gear in a yawed attitude to the direction of travel. When the nose wheel touched, it collapsed and the right wing contacted the surface. The airplane turned sideways and the left wing also contacted the surface before the airplane came to a stop. The pilot reported that another aircraft landed just prior to his approach. This pilot reported to the accident pilot that for his landing, the wind direction was down the runway at about five to six knots. The Washington Pilots Association reported that this airstrip just opened on the same day as this accident. The report indicated that the airstrip was in good condition, and there was a warning about mowing equipment in the area. The report also indicated that the airstrip is 1,500 feet in length and at an elevation of 850 feet mean sea level. Cautions were indicated for winds coming out of Hells Canyon and the Grande Ronde, which could give the worst combination of head, tail, and crosswind, all at the same time. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4053F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4053F-2012-08-14), registration cancelled 2012-08-14, S/N 36953, built 1958 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172 - Registry model: [Cessna 172](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172) (registry code 2072402) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 36953 - Airframe hours: 3829 - Engines: Continental O-300A 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Jack I. Crites - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility - Last inspection: Annual, January 19, 2001, 71 hours before - Departed: LWS, Lewiston, ID - Destination: Rogersburg, WA - Airport: Rogersberg ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 57; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review May 30, 2000; seat: left; flight hours: 425 total, 15 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °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 20010519011199A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010519011199A), May 19, 2001: Cessna 172, Rogersburg, WA, No damage. (-23)Airman was conducting an approach to a landing at a unimproved mountain landing strip at the confluence of two deep-gorge rivers. Light and variable wind… 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.