# Accident 20171130022459A: Cessna 172S, Mitchellville, MD, November 30, 2017

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: November 30, 2017, 17:45 local time
- Place: Mitchellville, MD
- Damage: Destroyed
- Phase of flight: Landing: Approach
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 38.9456° N, 76.7733° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.9456&lon=-76.7733&mi=10
- Aircraft: N474SP, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N474SP) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Cessna 172S (registry code 2072439, https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172s) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming I0360 SER A&C (registry code 41511, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-ser-a-c) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172S
- Reported engine: LYCOMING I0360 SER A&C
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 1
- Pilot certificates: Private pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 345 total, 300 in this make and model, 7 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB GAA18CA074](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA074) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20171130022459A

## Narrative

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

THE LOW TIME PILOT BECAME SLIGHTLY DISORIENTED, AT DUSK, WITH RESPECT TO AIRPORT LOCATION/DISTANCE AFTER EXCECUTING A MISSED APPROACH FROM RWY 36. HE RE-ENTERED PATTERN TO MAKE AN APPROACH TO RWY 18 AND HAD TURNED (LEFT) BASE TO FINAL. HE WAS AVOIDING A POWER LINE TO THE RIGHT OF RWY 18 CENTER LINE AND WAS AWARE OF THE NEED TO MAINTAIN SAFE ALTITUDE OVER US RT 50 HIGHWAY (APPROX 1/2 MILE NORTH OF RWY 18). HE HAD THE RWY 18 LIGHTS IN SIGHT, BUT HE COULD NOT SEE THE PAPI. HE BECAME DISTRACTED BY DISAGREEMENT OF GARMIN NAVIGATION SYSTEM ANNOUNCED AIRSPEED AND ALTITUDE AS COMPARED TO AIRCRAFT INSTRUMENTS. BRIGHTNESS OF THE GARMIN DISPLAY WAS A FACTOR AND HE DID NOT KNOW HOW TO DIM IT. HIS GARMIN CHECKOUT WAS CONDUCTED DURING DAYLIGHT CONDITIONS. A LARGE UNLIT AREA ON FINAL (IMPACT AREA) OF RWY 18 CAUSED DARK HOLE EFFECT. PILOT LOST AWARENESS OF ALTITUDE AND IMPACTED APPROX 1 MILE NORTH OF RWY 18. THIS IS A CFIT ACCIDENT.

WEATHER: METAR KCGS 302226Z AUTO 12003KT 10SM CLR 11/06 A3006 RMK AO1 T01120056

## 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 GAA18CA074](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA074), Nov 30, 2017: Cessna 172 (N474SP), Bowie, MD, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain situational awareness during the approach to land. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s distraction by the instrument panel during the approach.

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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