# NTSB WPR09CA266: Cessna 172S, N541ER, Flagstaff, AZ, May 17, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 17, 2009, 11:40 local (18:40 UTC) - Place: Flagstaff, AZ - Coordinates: 35.13861, -111.671112 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.1386&lon=-111.6711&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 19, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 73905 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR09CA266 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/73905/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=73905 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09CA266 ## Probable cause The student pilot's inadequate compensation for the gusty wind conditions and failure to maintain directional control during landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Ability to respond/compensate (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Student/instructed pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The purpose of the flight was for the student pilot to complete his first solo cross-country flight as a step toward obtaining his private pilot certificate. He touched down normally at the first airport on his three-leg flight. While on the landing roll, the airplane encountered a strong gust of wind, resulting in the airplane veering to the left. Despite the pilot's control inputs, the airplane continued to the left and departed the runway surface, impacting a dirt berm adjacent to the runway. The nose landing gear subsequently collapsed, resulting in firewall damage. The wind velocity was reported at 3 knots, gusting to 15 knots. The operator reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe or engine. ## Factual narrative In a written statement, the student pilot reported that the purpose of the flight was for him to complete his first solo cross-country flight as a step toward obtaining his private pilot certificate. The airplane touched down normally at the first airport on his three-leg flight. While on the landing roll, the airplane encountered a strong gust of wind, resulting in it veering to the left. Despite the pilot's control inputs, the airplane continued to the left and departed the runway surface, impacting a dirt berm adjacent to the runway. The nose wheel landing gear subsequently collapsed, resulting in damage to the engine firewall and right wing tip. The student pilot further stated that an airport traffic controller reported a wind velocity of 3 knots, gusting to 15 knots just prior to his attempted landing. The operator reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe or engine. ## Aircraft - Registration: N541ER (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172S (S) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 172S10521 - Airframe hours: 1664 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-L2C 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Embry Riddle Aeronautical University - Registered owner: Avn Air LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, May 3, 2009, 16 hours before - Departed: PRC, Prescott, AZ - Destination: FLG, Flagstaff, AZ - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: FLG, Flagstaff Pulliam, runway 21, 8,800 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Student pilot; age 22; injuries: none; student; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 49 total, 49 in this make and model, 4 as pilot in command, 48 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 3 knots, gusting 15 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 19 °F - Observed at: FLG ## 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 20090517006949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090517006949A), May 17, 2009: Cessna 172S, Flagstaff, AZ, Substantial damage. Student pilot [privacy data omitted] certificate number GG-0594067, while attempting to land on an initial solo cross country flight to Flagstaff, AZ, kflg,… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 22, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=73905. 736 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 736 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40313919&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF 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.