# NTSB ATL01LA076: Cessna 172P, N52452, Cedar Key, FL, July 7, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 7, 2001, 10:00 local (14:00 UTC) - Place: Cedar Key, FL - Coordinates: 29.139295, -83.030281 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.1393&lon=-83.0303&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 4 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 20, 2002 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Tampa FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 52651 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL01LA076 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/52651/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL01LA076 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper in-flight decision to abort the landing resulted in the collision with water. A factor was the variable wind condition. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - aborted - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - variable wind (contributing factor) - terrain condition - water ## Analysis The pilot was on final approach to land when he encountered a tailwind causing him to overshoot the runway. The pilot attempted a go-around, and collided with water 125 feet from the end of the runway. No mechanical problems with the airplane were reported by the pilot. The pilot reported variable wind speed and direction conditions during the attempted landing. According to Cessna 172P airplane performance data, the approximate landing roll at a gross weight of 2,400 pounds is 540 feet. Runway 23 is 2,355 feet long. The pilot initiated a go-around approximately 1000 feet from the end of the runway. ## Factual narrative On July 7, 2001, at 1000 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172P, N52452, ran off of the end of runway 23 and collided with water while landing at George T. Lewis Airport in Cedar Key, Florida. The personal flight was operated by the pilot under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 with a VFR flight plan filed. Visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The airplane sustained substantial damage; the commercial pilot and his three passengers received no injuries. The personal flight departed Orlando Sanford Airport in Orlando, Florida, at 0845. According to the pilot, he was landing on runway 23 at George T. Lewis Airport in Cedar Key, Florida, then contacted the runway approximately 700 feet from the threshold, and firmly applied the brakes. He said, "I estimated the end of the runway to be 1000 feet away at this point and decided to initiate a go-around. Carb heat was pushed off, flaps were raised to 20 degrees and full throttle was applied. The aircraft did not appear to be able to gain lift-off speed, and at approximately 51-53 KTS with no runway remaining, I pulled the aircraft up and over some runway end weeds and dropped down to some 3 feet about the water to attempt flying in ground effect to gain airspeed. My airspeed at this point did not increase and I began to look for a safe, and if possible, dry spot to put it down." The airplane collided with water approximately 125 feet from the end of runway 23 at George T. Lewis Airport in Cedar Key, Florida. No mechanical problems with the airplane were reported by the pilot. Examination at the accident site weather data revealed wind conditions shifting resulted in a tailwind situation. The pilot reported variable wind speed and direction conditions during the attempted landing. According to Cessna 172P airplane performance data, the approximate landing roll at a gross weight of 2400 pounds is 540 feet. Runway 23 is 2,355 feet long. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N52452](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N52452-2013-08-08), registration cancelled 2013-08-08, S/N 17274528, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172P - Registry model: [Cessna 172P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172p) (registry code 2072436) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17274334 - Airframe hours: 16517.7 - Engines: Lycoming 0320D2J 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Comair Aviation Academy - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, June 23, 2001, 78.7 hours before - Departed: KSFB, Sanford, FL - Destination: Cedar Key, FL - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: KCDK, George T. Lewis, runway 23, 2,355 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 60; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review November 10, 2000; seat: left; flight hours: 2,149 total, 881 in this make and model, 2,077 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 330° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 73 °F - Altimeter: 30.12 inHg - Observed at: KGNV, 45 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 20010707023299A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010707023299A), Jul 7, 2001: Cessna 172P, Cedar Key, FL, Substantial damage. (-23) On July 7, 2001, at 10:00 local time a Cessna 172PN, N52452, registered to comair aviation academy, inc. overshot the runway upon landing and crashed… 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.