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GAA19CA225

2019-04-20 · Scottsdale, Arizona, United States · None · 1 aircraft · Status: Completed

Airport SDL

Current FAA registration · N6023V

Make / Model
CESSNA 172S
Year of manufacture
2006 · 13 years old at event
Engine
LYCOMING IO-360-L2A (180 hp)
Seats / Engines
4 seats · 1 engine
Last airworthiness date
20060606
ADS-B equipped
Yes — Mode-S A7D182

Source: FAA Aircraft Registry (releasable master file).

Aircraft involved

Probable cause & findings

The pilot's improper rudder inputs and failure to maintain directional control during landing with a crosswind, which resulted in a runway excursion and impact with a runway sign.

Factual narrative

The pilot reported that he landed right of the runway centerline and the airplane continued to drift right. He added "right rudder" and the airplane continued to the right. He "over-corrected and over-corrected back", the airplane exited the runway to the right, and impacted a runway sign. He taxied to parking without further incident. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right elevator. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The automated weather observation station located on the airport reported that, about 7 minutes before the accident, the wind was from 150° at 6 knots. The pilot landed the airplane on runway 03. The pilot reported that he landed the airplane right of the runway centerline and that it then continued to drift right. He added right rudder, and the airplane continued to the right. He said that he "over-corrected back." The airplane subsequently exited the runway to the right and impacted a runway sign. The pilot taxied to parking without further incident. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right elevator. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The airport's automated weather observation station reported that, about 7 minutes before the accident, the wind was from 150° at 6 knots. The pilot landed the airplane on runway 03. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

  • C Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Directional control-Not attained/maintained - C
  • C Aircraft-Aircraft systems-Flight control system-Rudder control system-Incorrect use/operation - C
  • C Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Aircraft control-Pilot - C
  • C Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Use of equip/system-Pilot - C
  • C Environmental issues-Conditions/weather/phenomena-Wind-Tailwind-Effect on operation - C
  • C Environmental issues-Physical environment-Object/animal/substance-Sign/marker-Effect on operation - C

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_2019_GAA19CA225.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.

Related research

Matched on aircraft type or causal vocabulary (runway excursion). All research papers