# Accident 20100731039899A: Cessna 172N, Elk Creek, VA, July 31, 2010

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: July 31, 2010, 11:15 local time
- Place: Elk Creek, VA
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Cruise/Level Flight
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 36.7656° N, 81.3286° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.7656&lon=-81.3286&mi=10
- Aircraft: N172FL, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N172FL-2013-05-06) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Cessna 172N (registry code 2072434, https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming 0-320 series (registry code 41508, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172N
- Reported engine: LYCOMING 0-320 SERIES
- People aboard: 2
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Student
- Pilot flight hours: 170 total, 160 in this make and model, 7 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ERA10CA392](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA10CA392) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100731039899A

## Narrative

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

THE STUDENT PILOT ELECTED TO MAKE AN OFF AIRPORT LANDING IN A HAY FIELD AFTER EXPERIENCING INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS AND COLLIDED WITH A FENCE AND SURROUNDING TERRAIN.  THE AIRPLANE SUSTAINED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE.  THE PILOT STATED THAT HE HAD NO MECHANICAL PROBLEM WITH THE AIRCRAFT PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT AND FUEL WAS OBSERVED IN THE TANKS DURING THE ON-SITE INVESTIGATION.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB ERA10CA392](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA10CA392), Jul 31, 2010: Cessna 172N (N172FL), Elk Creek, VA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The student pilot’s continued visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in an off-airport landing.

## Other reports on N172FL (1)

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

- [Accident 20060331004829A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20060331004829A), Mar 31, 2006: Cessna 172N (N172FL), Daytona Beach, FL, Substantial damage. (-23) On 31 mar 2006 at approximately 0850 EST, Cessna 172, N172FL, piloted by [privacy data omitted] porpoised on landing at Daytona Beach int'l airport (dab)…

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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