# NTSB WPR21LA230: Cessna 172, N20406, Fields, OR, June 12, 2021 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: June 12, 2021, 09:45 local (16:45 UTC) - Place: Fields, OR · highway - Coordinates: 42.264206, -118.67499 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.2642&lon=-118.6750&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: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 103278 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR21LA230 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/103278/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=103278 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA230 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during landing on a highway, which resulted in an impact with terrain and subsequent nose over. ## 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 172M, 59 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2072418), [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 · 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) - [Terrain: rough terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015/cases.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 442 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015/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 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: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490); cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 15 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, he initiated a landing on a highway near a remote town for lunch. After touchdown, the airplane veered left, and the pilot applied full right rudder control input, but the airplane exited the roadway surface and impacted terrain. The airplane nosed over, and the right-wing lift strut and empennage sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N20406](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N20406), registered now, S/N 17261265 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172 (M) - 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: 17261265 - Year built: 1972 - Airframe hours: 5856.2 - Engines: Lycoming 0-320-E2D reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Chewelah Flyers Inc - Registered owner: Chewelah Flyers Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility - Last inspection: Annual, December 23, 2020, 42 hours before - Departed: KNBO, Burns, OR - Destination: Same as departure - Airport: None - Equipment: Handheld GPS, Angle of attack indicator, Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 64; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 9, 2021; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 338.4 total, 310.8 in this make and model, 251.8 as pilot in command, 11.7 in the last 90 days, 10.6 in the last 30 days, 1.3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 30.10 inHg - Observed at: KREO, 41 nm away - METAR: METAR KREO 121552Z AUTO VRB03KT 18/07 A3010 RMK AO1 SLP162 T01830072= ## 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 20210612006409A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20210612006409A), Jun 12, 2021: Cessna 172M, Fields, OR, Substantial damage. The pilot departed burns Oregon for a flight to winnamuca, NV. He decided to land on the highway outside of Fields, OR. He had read on social media about it.… ## Other investigations on N20406 (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 SEA08CA126](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA08CA126), May 3, 2008: Cessna 172M (N20406), Dixie, ID, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from the vegetation during takeoff. ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 21, 2021, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=103278. 3.8 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 1.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12674537&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120%20230_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Accident photos (item 2, PDF, 3 pages, 2.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12674726&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Accident%20Photos%20230-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.