# NTSB WPR11CA204: Cessna 172P, N62145, Palm Springs, CA, April 21, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: April 21, 2011, 13:30 local (20:30 UTC) - Place: Palm Springs, CA - Coordinates: 33.830001, -116.506668 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8300&lon=-116.5067&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 3, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 78938 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR11CA204 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/78938/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=78938 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR11CA204 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control after landing with a crosswind. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172P, 28 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2072436), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Cessna 172P, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=2072436), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/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 172P, 76 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072436), [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-flare/touchdown: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172P, 37 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2072436), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) ## Analysis After exiting the runway, the airplane encountered a gust of wind and flipped over. The pilot stated that he landed the airplane safely in a crosswind. As the airplane exited the runway, the wind shifted and he attempted to correct with full aileron and rudder input; however, his inputs were not successful and the airplane came to rest inverted. Airport personnel reported that both wings, the tail, and vertical and horizontal stabilizers were damaged. They also indicated that the pilot reported that there were no mechanical issues with the airplane. The wind at the airport about the time of the accident was reported to be from the northwest at 21 knots gusting to 38 knots. ## Factual narrative After exiting the runway, the airplane was struck by a gust of wind and flipped over. The pilot was interviewed by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector and stated that he had landed the airplane safely in crosswind conditions. As the airplane exited the runway, the wind shifted and he attempted to correct with full aileron and rudder input; however, his inputs were not successful and the airplane came to rest inverted. Airport personnel reported both wings, the tail, and vertical and horizontal stabilizers were damaged. They also indicated that the pilot reported that there were no mechanical issues with the airplane. Reported winds at the airport were from the northwest at 21 knots gusting to 38 knots. The pilot did not submit a written report. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N62145](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N62145-2012-06-29), registration cancelled 2012-06-29, S/N 17275220 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172P - Registry model: [Cessna 172P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172p) (registry code 2072436) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17275220 - Airframe hours: 6721 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-D2J 15 hp reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Pro-Air Aviation LLC - Registered owner: Pro-Air Aviation LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, February 2, 2011 - Departed: PSP, Palm Springs, CA - Destination: PSP, Palm Springs, CA - Airport: PSP, Palm Springs Internat'l Airpor, runway 31R, 10,001 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 18; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review January 3, 2010; seat: left; flight hours: 160 total, 150 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 310° at 21 knots, gusting 38 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 28 °F - Altimeter: 29.85 inHg - Observed at: PSP ## 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 20110421006849A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110421006849A), Apr 21, 2011: Cessna 172P, Palm Springs, CA, Substantial damage. Palm Springs, (psp): N62145, C172, landed psp RWY31R, flipped over by gust of wind (300@44KTS) when exiting rwy at 211330PDT. POB: one, injuries: none, damage:… ## Other investigations on N62145 (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 MIA97LA051](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA97LA051), Dec 31, 1996: Cessna 172P (N62145), Atlanta, GA, substantial damage. Probable cause: failure of the pilot to initiate an immediate climb (go-around or missed approach) after encountering fog, while on final approach to land. Darkness and fog at the end of the runway were related… ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 10, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=78938. 2.9 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 559 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40349606&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Photo 1 - main wreckage (PSP Airport Personnel) (item 2, .PDF, 673 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40348299&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20-%20main%20wreckage%20(PSP%20Airport%20Personnel)-Master.PDF - Request for Written Statement (NTSB) (item 3, .PDF, 33 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40349250&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Request%20for%20Written%20Statement%20(NTSB)-Redacted.PDF - Report from Airport Personnel (item 4, .PDF, 1.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40348301&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Report%20from%20Airport%20Personnel-Redacted.PDF - Excerpt Log Books (item 5, .PDF, 241 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40348302&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Excerpt%20Log%20Books-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.