# NTSB ATL03LA092: Cessna 172H, N1748F, Somerville, TN, May 13, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 13, 2003, 10:35 local (15:35 UTC) - Place: Somerville, TN - Coordinates: 35.205833, -89.394447 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.2058&lon=-89.3944&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 30, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Memphis FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 56979 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL03LA092 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/56979/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL03LA092 ## Probable cause The pilot's misjudged approach airspeed and distance which resulted in an undershoot of the runway and collision with terrain. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Undershoot, landing - airspeed - misjudged, pilot in command (cause) - distance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - terrain condition - berm (contributing factor) ## Analysis While on approach to land on runway 01, the airplane propeller caught a berm and undershot the runway 10 feet of the paved surface. Since repairs were underway from the edge of the runway-paved surface, several feet of dirt had been removed on the approach end of the runway. The pilot reported that the nose wheel collapsed and the airplane skidded in and stopped about 50 feet down the runway. Examination of the airplane showed a buckled fuselage, nose gear damage, firewall and propeller damage. No mechanical problems were revealed during the post-accident examination of the airplane. ## Factual narrative On May 13, 2003, at 1035 central daylight time, a Cessna 172, N1748F, registered to and operated by Douglass Co LLC, collided with the ground short of the runway surface while attempting a landing at the Fayette County Airport, in Somerville, Tennessee. The personal flight operated under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 with no flight plan filed. Visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The airplane was substantially damaged and the private pilot was not injured. The flight departed Somerville, Tennessee at 1020, on May 13, 2003. According to the pilot, while on approach to land on runway 01, the airplane touched down 10 feet short of the paved runway and the propeller struck a berm. Since repairs were underway from the edge of the runway-paved surface, several feet of dirt had been removed on the approach end of the runway. The pilot reported that the nose wheel collapsed and the plane skidded in and stopped about 50 feet down the runway. Examination of the airplane showed a buckled fuselage, nose gear damage, firewall and propeller damage. No mechanical problems were revealed during the post-accident examination of the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1748F](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1748F), registered now, S/N 17255143, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172H - Registry model: [Cessna 172H](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172h) (registry code 2072424) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17255143 - Airframe hours: 7500 - Engines: Continental O-300 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Ray Douglas - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: FYE, Somerville, TN - Destination: Somerville, TN - Airport: FYE, Fayette County, runway 01, 3,500 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 78; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 790 total, 700 in this make and model, 6 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 120° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 29.94 inHg - Observed at: MKL, 35 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 20030513015039A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030513015039A), May 13, 2003: Cessna 172H, Somerville, TN, Substantial damage. (-23) Cessna 172 operating VMC landed short of runway (approximately 10FT). Substantial damage to aircraft. Buckled fuselage, nose gear damage, firewall and… ## Other investigations on N1748F (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 NYC00LA202](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC00LA202), Jul 16, 2000: Cessna 172H (N1748F), Rainelle, WV, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain a proper decent rate. A factor was the up-sloping runway. 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.