Cessna 172H accident near Emporia, Kansas, October 4, 1990
On October 4, 1990 at about 4:45 pm local time, a Cessna 172H, registered N3226L, was substantially damaged in an accident near Emporia, Kansas (Emporia Muni airport). It was an instructional flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
GUSTY CROSSWINDS, EXCESSIVE FLAP SETTING, AND LACK OF TOTAL EXPERIENCE IN TYPE OF OPERATION.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- October 4, 1990 · about 4:45 pm local time
- Place
- Emporia, Kansas · Emporia Muni · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 172H · all 172Hs on the register
- Registration
- N3226L · registry record · serial 17256126
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
STUDENT PILOT ON CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT WAS ATTEMPTING TO LAND USING FULL FLAPS WITH A CROSSWIND OF 17 KNOTS GUSTING TO 23 KNOTS 90 DEGREES TO THE LEFT. AFTER TOUCHDOWN THE AIRCRAFT BECAME MOMENTARILY AIRBORNE DRIFTED TO THE RIGHT, LANDED OFF THE RUNAWAY, AND NOSED OVER.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: student
- Flight time: 52 hours in all; 33 in this make and model; 12 in the last 90 days; 12 in the last 30 days; 16 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: unk
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded
- Maximum gross weight: 2,300 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental O-300-D (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: PTS Pittsburg KS at 3:00 pm
- Destination: EMP Emporia KS
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 1, 4,948 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 280° at 17 knots, gusting 23
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 75°F (24°C), dew point 54°F (12°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observation at 4:50 pm from EMP
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.