# Incident 19970301008159I: Cessna 172L, Middletown, PA, March 1, 1997

- Type: FAA incident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: March 1, 1997, 12:20 local time
- Place: Middletown, PA
- Airport: Harrisburg International Airport-Olmsted
- Phase of flight: Final Approach-IFR
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 40.2009° N, 76.7292° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Middletown, PA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.2009&lon=-76.7292&mi=10
- Aircraft: N7631G, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7631G) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Cessna 172L (registry code 2072432, https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172l) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming 0-320 series (registry code 41508, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172L
- People aboard: 2
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Pilot flight hours: 950 total, 300 in this make and model, 20 in the last 90 days
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970301008159I

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

NARRATIVE: ON MARCH 1, 1997, AT 1220 HOURS LOCAL, A CESSNA MODEL 172-L, REGISTRATION NUMBER N7631G, REGISTERED TO REIGLE AVIATION PALMYRA, PA, DEVIATED FROM ITS INSTRUMENT FLIGHT PLAN WHILE ON AN INSTRUCTION FLIGHT. INSTRUMENT FLIGHT CONDITIONS PREVAILED AT THE TIME. THE AIRCRAFT RECEIVED NO DAMAGE AND THE CERTIFICATED PILOT AND PASSENGER WERE NOT INJURED. THE FLIGHT ORIGINATED AT REIGLE AIRPORT (58N) AND WAS ENROUTE TO LANCASTER AIRPORT (LNS) TO DO A PRACTICE IFR APPROACH. THE PILOT BECAME DISORIENTED AND THE AIRCRAFT WENT INTO A SPIN. AT THIS POINT, THE TOWER OPERATORS AT HARRISBURG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (MDT) ATTEMPTED TO GET THE AIRCRAFT ONTO THE GROUND AT DECK AIRPORT (N76), CAPITAL CITY AIRPORT (CXY), AND HARRISBURG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (MDT). AFTER A MISSED APPROACH TO ILS 13 AT MDT, THE PILOT WAS GIVEN THE ILS 31 APPROACH AT MDT, DUE TO THE PILOT ONLY HAVING THE APPROACH PLATE FOR THAT RUNWAY. AFTER HAVING DIFFICULTY WITH THE ILS 31 APPROACH, THE AIRCRAFT FINALLY BROKE OUT OF THE CLOUDS AND A VISUAL OF RUNWAY 31 AT MDT WAS MADE. THE AIRCRAFT MADE A LANDING WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT. DURING THIS ENTIRE INCIDENT, THE PILOT HAD TROUBLE MAINTAINING ALTITUDE AND HEADI NG. HE WAS UNABLE TO MAKE ANY OF THE APPROACHES SUCCESSFULLY. ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^ THIS INCIDENT IS CONSIDERED CLOSED.

## Other reports on N7631G (3)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Incident 20150908015849I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150908015849I), Sep 8, 2015: Cessna 172L (N7631G), Palmyra, PA, Minor damage. During final approach to rwy 31 at 58N, in VMC conditions, aircraft impacted roof of vehicle traveling on pa route 117. Aircraft continued approach and landed…
- [Incident 19900702035279I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900702035279I), Jul 2, 1990: Cessna 172L (N7631G), Annville, PA. Lost control on landing rollout and veered off runway. Came to rest in some small trees and shrubbery.
- [Incident 19881003058949I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19881003058949I), Oct 3, 1988: Cessna 172L (N7631G), Palmyra, PA. Instructor failed to initiate go around at proper point. Engine faltered. Landed long and departed runway.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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