# NTSB SEA84LA146: Cessna 172D, N2384U, Reno, NV, June 26, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 25, 1984, 21:08 local (Jun 26, 1984, 04:08 UTC)
- Place: Reno, NV
- Coordinates: 39.480976, -119.740173 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.4810&lon=-119.7402&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 39947
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA84LA146
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/39947/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA84LA146

## 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 - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - light condition - night (contributing factor)
  - flare - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - fatigue, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - proper alignment - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - anxiety/apprehension, pilot in command (cause)
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE ACFT WAS BLOWN FROM OVER THE RWY DURING FLARE IN A X-WIND. THIS WAS A NIGHT LANDING FOR A PLT WITH LIMITED TOTAL ANDALMOST NO NIGHT FLYING EXPERIENCE. ALSO THE PLT HAD FLOWN OVER 12 HOURS IN THE LAST 24,WITH CONSIDERABLE TURBULENCE AND THUNDERSTORMS. DURING THE FLARE THE PLT ADDED POWER BUT KEPT THE NOSE HIGH WITH NO FLAPS AND THE ACFT STALLED. THE PLT SAID HE COULD NOT SEE OVER THE NOSE AND DID NOT REALIZE THE ACFT WAS NO LONGER ALIGNED WITH THE RWY. THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH A TAXIWAY AND A DITCH AFTER COLLAPSING THE LEFT MAIN LANDING GEAR.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N2384U (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172D
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17249984
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300-D 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Rich Ellis
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Departed: LWL, WELLS, NV
- Destination: RNO, RENO, NV
- Airport: RNO, Reno Cannon, runway 34R, 5,592 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 101 total, 27 in this make and model, 72 as pilot in command, 24 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/bright
- Wind: 290° at 16 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 34 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: RNO

## 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 19840625030309A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840625030309A), Jun 25, 1984: Cessna 172D, Reno, NV, Substantial damage. Allowed wind to drift aircraft off side of runway. Struck a taxiway sign that severed the left main gear.

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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