# NTSB WPR10CA073: Cessna 172M, N20186, Diamond Point, WA, December 6, 2009

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: December 5, 2009, 16:45 local (Dec 6, 2009, 00:45 UTC)
- Place: Diamond Point, WA
- Coordinates: 48.091667, -122.926109 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.0917&lon=-122.9261&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: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 23, 2010
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Western Pacific Region
- NTSB case key (mKey): 75138
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR10CA073
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/75138/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75138
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR10CA073

## Probable cause

The pilot's inadequate compensation for the variable and unfavorable wind conditions.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Performance/control parameters: crosswind correction](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062030): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062030/cases.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 184 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062030/cases.md)
- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 123 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [Wind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034000): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Response/compensation; cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034000/cases.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 110 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034000/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: [Cessna 172M, 61 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md)
- [Landing-landing roll: Dragged wing/rotor/float/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093); cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093/sequence.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 319 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093/sequence.md)
- [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 33 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot was landing at a non-controlled airport where variable gusty winds were present. While on final, she encountered a right crosswind and then both updrafts and downdrafts as she crossed over a cliff under the flight path. The pilot said that while the touchdown was uneventful, as the airplane slowed during the landing roll it encountered a right crosswind gust and the right wing lifted. Although the pilot attempted remedial flight control inputs and added power, the left wing scrapped the runway surface and the airplane rotated to the left, exposing it to a nearly direct tailwind. As the pilot attempted to bring it back under control, the airplane nosed over onto its back. According to the pilot, there was no indication of any problem with the flight control or nosewheel steering systems. The pilot also stated that the winds from the north were unusual for this airport, and that she based her assumptions as to what would happen on the runway on the normal westerly or southeasterly winds.

## Factual narrative

The pilot was landing at a non-controlled airport where variable gusty winds were present. While on final, she encountered a right crosswind, and then both updrafts and down drafts as she crossed over a cliff under the flight path. The pilot said that while the touchdown was uneventful, as the airplane slowed during the landing roll, it encountered a right crosswind gust, and the right wing lifted. Although the pilot attempted remedial flight control inputs and added power, the left wing scrapped the runway surface, and the airplane rotated to the left, exposing it to a nearly direct tailwind. As the pilot attempted to bring it back under control, the airplane nosed over onto its back. According to the pilot, there was no indication of any problem with the flight control or nose wheel steering systems. The pilot also stated that the winds from the north were unusual for this airport, and that she based her assumptions as to what would happen on the runway on the normal westerly or southeasterly winds.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N20186](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N20186-2010-09-20), registration cancelled 2010-09-20, S/N 17261079, built 1972 (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: 17261079
- Airframe hours: 7684
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 SERIES 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Carl Peecher
- Registered owner: Carl Peecher
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 8, 2009
- Departed: KBFI, Seattle, WA
- Destination: 2WA1, Diamond Point, WA
- Airport: 2WA1, Diamond Point, runway 29, 2,300 × 24 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 426 total, 80 in this make and model, 377 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: variable at 10 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 39 °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 20091205052199A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20091205052199A), Dec 5, 2009: Cessna 172M, Diamond Point, WA, Substantial damage. Pilot overflew the runway to evaluate the winds and runway condition. Noted conflicting wind indications and up and downdrafts as well as a crosswind while on…

## Other investigations on N20186 (1)

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.

- [NTSB SEA73AS024](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA73AS024), Feb 14, 1973: Cessna 172 (N20186), Sekiu, WA, substantial damage

## Docket (1 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 18, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75138. 1.2 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40322977&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.

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