# NTSB ANC20CA054: Cessna 120, N72536, Gulkana, AK, May 24, 2020 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 23, 2020, 19:00 local (May 24, 2020, 03:00 UTC) - Place: Gulkana, AK - Coordinates: 62.189998, -144.87583 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=62.1900&lon=-144.8758&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR go-around: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 101374 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC20CA054 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/101374/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=101374 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC20CA054 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain proper airspeed during final approach to landing, and his subsequent failure to attain sufficient altitude to clear trees during an attempted go-around. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 120, 22 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2071402), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Related operating info (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 120, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=2071402), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 120, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=2071402), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md) - [Alertness/Fatigue: fatigue due to work schedule](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02013520): Personnel issues › Physical · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 120, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02013520/cases.md?model=2071402), [All aircraft, 25 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02013520/cases.md) - [Sensory ability/limitation: visual function](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02011510): Personnel issues › Physical · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 120, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02011510/cases.md?model=2071402), [All aircraft, 32 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02011510/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach-VFR go-around: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 120, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=2071402), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that while landing at an unimproved airstrip, his airspeed on final approach was too fast, and he decided to perform a go-around. During the go-around, the left main tire struck trees at the departure end of the airstrip and the airplane subsequently descended into the brush and trees. The right wing and right elevator sustained substantial damage. The pilot stated there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. In the recommendation section of the NTSB Accident/Incident Reporting Form 6120.1, the pilot stated that the accident may have been prevented if he had been more aware of his limitations and the airplane's performance limitations. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N72536](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N72536), registered now, S/N 9706, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 120 (No Series) - Registry model: [Cessna 120](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-120) (registry code 2071402) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 9706 - Year built: 1946 - Airframe hours: 5963 - Engines: Continental C85- 12F 85 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 18, 2020 - Departed: GKN, Gulkana, AK - Destination: Gulkana, AK - Airport: runway N, 800 × 80 ft, dirt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 41; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 198.3 total, 178.6 in this make and model, 16.7 in the last 90 days, 6.5 in the last 30 days, 3.5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 230° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 36 °F - Altimeter: 29.51 inHg - Observed at: PAGK, 17 nm away ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20200523006669A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20200523006669A), May 23, 2020: Cessna 120, Gulkana, AK, Substantial damage. [privacy data omitted]Narrative 6/5/2020: Not realizing at the time that the grade was slightly more then I had thought and light/variable winds had switched… ## Other investigations on N72536 (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 MIA66F0404](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA66F0404), Jan 10, 1966: Cessna 120 (N72536), Hollywood, FL, substantial damage ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 9, 2020, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=101374. 1.7 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 16 pages, 1.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=9928157&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB%206120%20Combined%20CA054%20master_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photographs (item 2, PDF, 2 pages, 305 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=9928419&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ANC20CA054%20Photo%20Template%202-Rel.pdf 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.