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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

March 29, 2012 · Cessna 172S · N480SP

Midlothian, TX

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 29, 2012
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Midlothian, TX
Aircraft
Cessna 172S
Tail Number
N480SP
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CEN12LA214

The pilot stated that there was a 5 to 10 knot left crosswind while landing. He reported that he had no difficulty maintaining the runway centerline alignment during the final approach and touchdown. An uneventful touchdown was made on the runway centerline; however, during the landing roll, the airplane began to veer to the left. The pilot stated that despite his increased use of right rudder to regain directional control, the airplane departed the left side of the runway and impacted a ditch. The nose landing gear collapsed when the airplane impacted the ditch. The pilot further noted that he had not experienced any ground-handling difficulties during the two takeoffs and one landing completed earlier that day. A postaccident examination confirmed that the cockpit rudder pedals were operating properly. Additionally, no mechanical anomalies were revealed during a functional test of the brake system. A postaccident review of available wind data indicated that the accident airplane likely landed in a left quartering crosswind of about 5 knots with no appreciable gusts. In the absence of any significant crosswind or wind gust, and coupled with the lack of any preimpact mechanical malfunctions of the nose wheel steering or brake systems, the pilot should have been able to maintain directional control during the landing roll.

NTSB Probable Cause

Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Directional control-Not attained/maintained - C

Full Narrative

On March 29, 2012, at 1715 central daylight time, a Cessna 172S airplane, N480SP, was substantially damaged while landing at Mid-Way Regional Airport (KJWY), Midlothian, Texas. The private pilot was not injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 without a flight plan. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight. The flight departed Sportsman's World Airport (TA65), Palo Pinto, Texas, about 1615 with KJWY as the intended destination. The pilot stated that there was a 5-10 knot left crosswind while landing on runway 18 (6,500 feet by 100 feet, asphalt). He reported that he had no difficulty maintaining runway centerline alignment during the final approach and touchdown. An uneventful touchdown was made on the runway centerline; however, during the landing roll, the airplane began to veer to the left. The pilot stated that despite his increased use of right rudder to regain directional control, the airplane departed off the left side of the runway and impacted a ditch. The nose landing gear collapsed when the airplane impacted the ditch. He further noted that he had not experienced any ground-handling difficulties during the 2 takeoffs and 1 landing completed earlier that day. A postaccident examination was completed by inspectors with the Federal Aviation Administration. The examination revealed substantial damage to the right wing primary structure and engine firewall. Although the nose wheel steering linkages had fractured when the nose gear collapsed, movement of the cockpit rudder pedals confirmed their proper operation. Additionally, no mechanical anomalies were found during a function test of the brake system. The postaccident examination did not reveal any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation of the airplane. At 1715, the airport's automated surface observing system reported the following weather conditions: wind 120 degrees at 6 knots; visibility 10 miles; scattered clouds at 2,800 and 3,300 feet above ground level; temperature 25 degrees Celsius; dew point 17 degrees Celsius; altimeter setting 29.84 inches of mercury.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:15 CDT
Nearest AirportMid-Way Regional Airport (0nm)
Runway18
Runway Length6500 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 172S
Tail NumberN480SP
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-360-L2A · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 47 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind120° @ 6 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point63 F
Altimeter29.84 inHg
Observation Time22:15
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data