# NTSB WPR14CA399: Cessna 172N, N738TJ, Thermal, CA, September 30, 2014 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 30, 2014, 15:40 local (22:40 UTC) - Place: Thermal, CA - Coordinates: 33.630001, -116.160003 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.6300&lon=-116.1600&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 January 22, 2015 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 90199 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR14CA399 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/90199/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90199 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14CA399 ## Probable cause The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing after an encounter with a dust devil. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Student/instructed pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 150 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/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: [Cessna 172N, 82 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Wind: dust devil/whirlwind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034060): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034060/cases.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 38 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034060/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: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 18 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 81 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2072434), [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: [Cessna 172N, 81 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) ## Analysis The student pilot reported that after touchdown, during the roll out, the airplane encountered a dust devil. The pilot was unable to maintain directional control and the airplane subsequently departed the runway surface. The airplane pitched down in the soft sand and the right wing was substantially damaged when it struck the ground. The student pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The student pilot reported that after touchdown, during the roll out, the airplane encountered a dust devil. The pilot was unable to maintain directional control and the airplane subsequently departed the runway surface. The airplane pitched down in the soft sand and the right wing was substantially damaged when it struck the ground. The student pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N738TJ](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N738TJ), registered now, S/N 17270222, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172N - Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17270222 - Year built: 1978 - Airframe hours: 9633.6 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320 SERIES reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Glendale Community College - Registered owner: Glendale Community College - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: August 28, 2014 - Departed: KPSP, Palm Springs, CA - Destination: KTRM, Thermal, CA - Airport: KTRM, Jacqueline Cochran Regional Ai, runway 17, 8,500 × 150 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Student pilot; age 28; injuries: none; student; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: front; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 33.5 total, 33.5 in this make and model, 6 as pilot in command, 33.5 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 1.6 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 140° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 93 °F, dew point 39 °F - Altimeter: 29.65 inHg - Observed at: KTRM ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Incident 20140930023809I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140930023809I), Sep 30, 2014: Cessna 172N, Thermal, CA, Minor damage. Upon landing roll out the aircraft started to veer right and skidded off the right side of runway. The nose wheel dug into the loose soil and nose of the… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 9, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90199. 1.5 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40420801&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - On Scene Photos- Pilot provided (item 2, .PDF, 437 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40420802&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=On%20Scene%20Photos-%20Pilot%20provided-Master.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.