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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

September 28, 1997 · Cessna 172 · N5338E

Kutztown, PA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 28, 1997
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Kutztown, PA
Aircraft
Cessna 172
Tail Number
N5338E
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
NYC97LA189

The student pilot radioed his intention to land on runway 35 over the UNICOM frequency, and was advised by another pilot that runway 10 was in use. The student then landed on runway 28. During the landing roll, the airplane veered right, departed the right side of the runway, and traveled into a cornfield. The student reported he had 84 hours of total flight experience, all in make and model, of which 20.5 hours were solo time. At an airport about 11 miles southwest of the accident site, the wind was resorted to be from 100 degrees at 10 knots.

NTSB Probable Cause

the student pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the aircraft, which resulted in an inadvertent ground swerve. Factors relating to the accident were: the student's pilot's selection of the wrong runway, the resultant tailwind, and the encounter with a cornfield beside the runway.

Full Narrative

On September 28, 1997, about 1330 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172, N5338E, was substantially damage while landing at the Kutztown Airport (N31), Kutztown, Pennsylvania. The student pilot (SP) was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed for the solo flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. In a written statement, the SP said he departed Decks Airport (9D4), Myerstown, Pennsylvania. After practicing maneuvers in the area, he performed and five short field landings at 9D4, and then flew to N31. He further stated: "...I radioed my intentions to land on runway 35 over the unicom. I was advised by a pilot that runway 10 was being used. I then went into, what I thought was my pattern for a runway 10 landing, and some how became disoriented and actually landed on [runway] 28. Upon landing, I wasn't able to stop in time, and left the runway, and went into a corn fied." According to a Federal Aviation Administration Inspector, the SP stated to him that during the landing flare the airplane floated and touched down mid-field, on the 2,260 foot runway. The airplane then veered right, departed the right side of the runway, and traveled into a cornfield, where it entered a ditch. In a telephone interview, the SP reported he had 84 hours of total flight experience, all in make and model, of which 20.5 hours were solo flight. He also stated, the majority of his solo flight time was accumulated on several cross country flights. Winds reported at an airport about 11 miles southwest of the accident site, at 1254, were from 100 degrees at 10 knots.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:30 EDT
Nearest AirportKUTZTOWN (0nm)
Runway28
Runway Length2260 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 172
Tail NumberN5338E
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · 172N · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 46 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind100° @ 10 kt
Visibility7 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 5500 ft
Temperature / Dew Point68 F / 57
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time16:45
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data