Cessna 172N accident near Lynchburg, Virginia, June 22, 2002
On June 22, 2002 at about 4:10 pm local time, a Cessna 172N, registered N5408E, was substantially damaged in an accident near Lynchburg, Virginia (Falwell Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane, a factor was the tailwind.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 22, 2002 · about 4:10 pm local time
- Place
- Lynchburg, Virginia · Falwell Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 172N · all 172Ns on the register
- Registration
- N5408E · registry record · serial 17271846
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot flew an approach to runway 28, a 2,900 foot-long asphalt runway. The pilot set the flaps to 40 degrees, and prior to touching down, he noticed a "severe incline" in the runway. A go-around was initiated and then aborted when the pilot decided there was enough runway on which to land. After touch down, a gust of wind hit the right wing. The pilot was unable to keep the airplane on the runway, and it veered off the left side. The airplane impacted trees, and came to rest on a grassy area. The airplane was loaded with "about" 4 boxes, each filled with books. The pilot did not remember the exact amount of boxes in the airplane, or the weights of these boxes, but he added that there were a "couple" of boxes on the rear seat, and a "couple" in the rear cargo compartment. Examination of the airplane found the elevator trim in the full nose down position, and the flaps set to 20 degrees. Weather about the time of the accident included winds from 090 degrees at 8 knots.
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: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 68 hours in all; 13 in this make and model; 8 in the last 90 days; 7 in the last 30 days; 15 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: January 25, 2002
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,209 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, June 5, 2002; 5 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,300 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: DMW Westminster MD at 3:10 pm
- Destination: W24 Lynchburg VA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 28, 2,900 ft by 50 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 090° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 79°F (26°C), dew point 57°F (14°C)
- Altimeter: 30.40 inHg
- Observation at 3:54 pm from LYH
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 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.