# NTSB ATL87LA080: Cessna 172M, N61639, Lexington, NC, March 7, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 7, 1987, 11:15 local (16:15 UTC)
- Place: Lexington, NC
- Coordinates: 35.799236, -80.249732 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.7992&lon=-80.2497&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 30, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7385
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL87LA080
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7385/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL87LA080

## Analysis

THE PLT REPORTED THAT HE HAD TRANSITIONED TO A VISUAL APPROACH, FOLLOWING A SIMULATED RADAR APPROACH TO THE RWY USING VECTORS AND DESCENT INFO SUPPLIED BY AN INSTRUMENT-RATED SAFETY PLT IN THE RT SEAT. THE SAFETY PLT WAS THE PLT'S FORMER INSTRUCTOR. THE PLT TOLD THE SAFETY PLT THAT HE FELT THAT THE ACFT WAS TOO HIGH TO LAND, AND THAT A GO-AROUND MIGHT BE ADVISABLE. THE SAFETY PLT TOLD HIM THAT THERE WAS ENOUGH ROOM TO LAND AND THE PLT CONTINUED THE DESCENT. THE PLT REPORTED THAT HE STILL HAD INTENTIONS OF GOING AROUND WHEN THE SAFETY PLT LOWERED THE FLAPS ABOUT 1/3 OF THE WAY DOWN THE RWY, AT ABOUT 25 FT AGL. THE ACFT SUBSEQUENTLY TOUCHED DOWN SLIGHTLY OVER HALFWAY DOWN THE 3300 FOOT RWY, AND OVERRAN THE END.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Overrun, landing - roll
  - altitude - excessive (cause)
  - airspeed - excessive, pilot in command (cause)
  - remedial action - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - underconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - go-around - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - crew/group coordination - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lowering of flaps - initiated, other crewmember (contributing factor)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, other crewmember
  - proper touchdown point - not obtained, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - downhill (contributing factor)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N61639](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N61639-1992-12-21), registration cancelled 1992-12-21, S/N 17264693 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172M
- Registry model: [Cessna 172M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172m) (registry code 2072418) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17264693
- Airframe hours: 4318
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Fred Smith Enterprises
- Registered owner: Alpha Air Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, November 4, 1986, 44 hours before
- Airport: EXX, Lexington Municipal, runway 26, 2,300 × 65 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 285 total, 56 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 330° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F

## 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 19870307005429A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870307005429A), Mar 7, 1987: Cessna 172M, Lexington, NC, Substantial damage. The aircraft overran the runway after a long touchdown. The PIC failed to take timely, decisive action.

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.

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