# NTSB WPR20LA115: Cessna 172, N172FG, Sedona, AZ, March 29, 2020

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report
- Date: March 29, 2020, 11:42 local (18:42 UTC)
- Place: Sedona, AZ · On Airport
- Coordinates: 34.848888, -111.78805 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.8489&lon=-111.7880&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class: Class 3
- NTSB office: Western Pacific Region
- Parties: FAA FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 101131
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR20LA115
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/101131/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=101131
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20LA115

## Probable cause

The pilot’s loss of pitch control while landing in crosswind conditions, which resulted in a collapsed nose gear and departure of the airplane from the runway.

## 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 · 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)
- [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 19 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters: pitch control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained; cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022/cases.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 526 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Landing: 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: 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)
- [Landing: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 44 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that she overflew the runway to check the windsock and established the wind favored runway 21. The pilot entered the traffic pattern and reported the airspeed on final was 68-70 knots and the flaps we set to 30°. The pilot reported that immediately after touchdown, the airplane veered to the left. The pilot stated full right rudder and brakes were applied to correct the situation; however, the airplane continued to veer, exited the paved runway surface, and flipped over. The pilot stated the wind at the time of the accident was 130° at 9 knots, with variable gusts. A witness observed the landing and stated it looked like the airplane encountered windshear while in ground effect, and the airplane landed on the nose gear. The nose landing gear fork collapsed during the accident sequence and the pilot opined that the nose landing gear fork showed evidence of pre-existing cracks and corrosion. NTSB Materials Laboratory evaluation of the nose landing gear fork showed no evidence of pre-existing cracks, corrosion, or indications of any pre-existing damage, such as cracking or corrosion. that would have contributed to premature fracture. The fracture features to the nose landing gear fork were indicative of fracture from overstress and likely the result of abnormal runway contact on landing. The evidence is consistent with the witness observations that the pilot lost pitch control of the airplane during landing in crosswind conditions, which resulted in a landing on the nose gear and its subsequent collapse.

## Factual narrative

On March 29, 2020, about 1142 mountain standard time, a Cessna 172, N172FG, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident at Sedona Airport (SEZ), Sedona, Arizona. The pilot and passenger were not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot departed Glendale, Arizona, with a planned destination of Sedona. The pilot approached Sedona from the east, overflew the airport, and observed that the windsock favored runway 21. The pilot reported the airspeed on final was “68-70 knots” and the flaps were set to 30°. The pilot reported that immediately after touchdown, just beyond the 1,000’ markers of runway 21, the airplane “took a violent 40° swing to the left.” The pilot stated full right rudder and brakes were applied to correct the situation; however, the airplane continued to veer and exited the paved runway surface. The pilot stated that after the airplane exited the runway, its nosewheel dug deep into the soft dirt, and the airplane flipped over. The pilot reported the wind at the time of the accident was 130° at 9 knots, with variable gusts. A witness stated the wind was “…very gusty and shifting” when the airplane landed. The witness stated that the airplane touched down on its nose gear, veered left, and nosed over after exiting the runway. Following the accident, the pilot reported that photographs of the nose gear fork “showed severe corrosion and cracks” where the nose landing gear failed. The pilot stated that the photographs were subsequently reviewed by a Federal Aviation Administration repair station, in California, and their representative stated the “part [nose gear fork] was severely compromised and unairworthy.” The pilot opined that these findings caused the airplane to swerve “off the runway.” The nose landing gear fork was sent to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) materials laboratory for examination and inspection. The NTSB materials engineer who examined the components reported that the nose landing gear fork fracture features were indicative of fracture from overstress and that microscopic and macroscopic features were consistent with fracture from overstress in bending. The bending direction was upward, which would be consistent with the load profile expected during a landing of the downward-oriented fork. The NTSB materials engineer also reported that there were no indications of any pre-existing damage, such as cracking or corrosion, that would have contributed to premature fracture.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N172FG](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N172FG), registered now, S/N 17267586, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172 (N)
- 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: 17267586
- Year built: 1976
- Airframe hours: 2818
- Engines: Lycoming O-320 160 hp reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Fly Eagle Sport
- Registered owner: Fly 172N Llc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, March 3, 2020
- Departed: KGEU, Glendale, AZ
- Destination: Same as departure
- Airport: KSEZ, Sedona Airport, runway 21, 5,132 × 100 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: ADS-B, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Stall warning system

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 22; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review January 23, 2020; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 124 total, 4 in this make and model, 60 as pilot in command, 44 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 130° at 9 knots
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Observed at: KSEZ

## 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 20200329003169A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20200329003169A), Mar 29, 2020: Cessna 172N, Sedona, AZ, Substantial damage. On 29 March 2020 at about 1142AM AZ time. A Cessna 172-N model, tail N172FG, after touch down on runway 21 at sez Sedona Airport, the aircraft experienced a…

## Docket (9 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 5, 2022, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=101131. 14.3 MB in all.

- Materials laboratory factual report (item 1, PDF, 13 pages, 18 photos, 4.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12298035&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=21-038%20-%20Materials%20Lab%20Factual%20Report%20(WPR20LA115)-Rel.pdf
- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 2, PDF, 11 pages, 2.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13332656&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120%20-%20WPR20LA115_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Pilot revised statement (item 3, PDF, 2 pages, 51 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13332493&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Pilot%20Revised%20Statement-Rel.pdf
- Witness statements (item 4, PDF, 1 page, 121 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13340851&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Witness%20Statement_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Record of conversation - ctc services report (item 5, PDF, 2 pages, 685 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13332974&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20CTC%20Services%20Report_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Sedona airport authority report (item 6, PDF, 1 page, 722 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13332984&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Sedona%20Airport%20Authority%20Report_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Evidence control form (item 7, PDF, 1 page, 488 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13334624&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Evidence%20Control%20Chain%20of%20Custody%20Form%201%20-%20WPR20LA115_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Maintenance records (item 8, PDF, 1 page, 2.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13341915&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Aircraft%20Maintenance%20Records_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Photo array (item 9, PDF, 4 pages, 3.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13332036&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Array%20WPR20LA115-Rel.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.