# NTSB WPR24LA089: Cessna 172N, N737LU, Madera, CA, February 11, 2024 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: February 10, 2024, 19:35 local (Feb 11, 2024, 03:35 UTC) - Place: Madera, CA - Coordinates: 37, -120 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.0000&lon=-120.0000&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): 193786 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR24LA089 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/193786/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=193786 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24LA089 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during landing. ## 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) - [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) ## 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 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) - [Landing-landing roll: 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 observing a dark layer of cloud just after takeoff and decided to avoid and return to the departure airport. When the airplane main landing gear contacted the ground, the pilot stated that the airplane veered to the left, exited the runway and nosed over before coming to rest. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the empennage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N737LU](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N737LU-2025-01-15), registration cancelled 2025-01-15, S/N 17269508 (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: 17269508 - Airframe hours: 11130.5 - Engines: Textron Lycoming O-320-H2A0 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Riya Aviation LLC - Registered owner: Riya Aviation LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, December 22, 2023, 100 hours before - Departed: KTCY, Tracy, CA - Destination: E45, Groveland, CA - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: E45, Pine Mountain Lake, runway 27, 3,624 × 50 ft, asphalt - Equipment: ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 65; injuries: unknown; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: basicmed, without waivers/limitations; last flight review July 8, 2022; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 330 total, 0 in this make and model, 133.6 as pilot in command, 2.2 in the last 90 days, 1.6 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk - Wind: 120° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 50 °F, dew point 39 °F - Altimeter: 30.15 inHg - Observed at: KMAE, 5 nm away - METAR: KMAE 110153Z AUTO 12003KT 10SM CLR 10/04 A3015 RMK AO2 SLP211 T01000044 ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 10, 2024, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=193786. 5.2 MB in all. - Photos (item 1, PDF, 2 pages, 174 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17425927&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=N737LU%20Accident%20Photograph-Rel.pdf - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 2, PDF, 11 pages, 5.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17686141&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=N737LU%206120%20nonfill_Redacted-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.