# NTSB ATL95LA113: Cessna 172, N54484, Brownsville, TN, June 14, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 14, 1995, 09:10 local (14:10 UTC)
- Place: Brownsville, TN
- Coordinates: 35.589519, -89.249481 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.5895&lon=-89.2495&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 31, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 3574
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL95LA113
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3574/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL95LA113

## Probable cause

The pilot's improper in-flight decision to land on the wet, sod runway, and his failure to use all of the available runway for landing.

## Sequence of events

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

- Overrun, landing - roll
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - wet (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - all available runway - not used, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT HE WAS ATTEMPTING TO LAND ON THE PRIVATE SOD AIRFIELD. HE STATED THAT THE 1,500 FOOT STRIP WAS COVERED WITH DEW AND THAT HE LANDED WITH ABOUT 1,000 FEET OF RUNWAY REMAINING, BUT THAT HE COULD NOT GET THE AIRCRAFT STOPPED PRIOR TO RUNNING OFF THE END OF THE RUNWAY. THE AIRCRAFT HIT A GROUP OF TREES LOCATED JUST OFF THE END OF THE RUNWAY.

## Factual narrative

On June 14, 1995, at 0910 central daylight time, a Cessna 172, N54484, was substantially damaged following a collision with trees during landing at a private airfield near Brownsville, Tennessee. Neither the private pilot, nor his passenger were injured in the accident. The aircraft was being operated under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 by the pilot. Visual meteorological conditions existed at the time, and no flight plan had been filed for the personal flight. The flight departed Paducah, Kentucky, at 0800.

The pilot stated that he was attempting to land on the private sod airfield. He stated that the 1,500 foot strip was covered with dew and that he landed with about 1,000 feet of runway remaining, but that he could not get the aircraft stopped prior to running off the end of the runway. The aircraft hit a group of trees located just off the end of the runway.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N54484](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N54484-1996-03-19), registration cancelled 1996-03-19, S/N 17274985 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- Registry model: [Cessna 172P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172p) (registry code 2072436) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17274985
- Airframe hours: 1150
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D2J 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Danny Herron
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, August 1, 1994, 29 hours before
- Departed: KY29, PADUCAH, KY
- Destination: NONE
- Airport: NONE, Gaylon Herron Farm, runway 36, 1,500 × 50 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 195 total, 150 in this make and model, 195 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MKL, 30 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 19950614049009A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950614049009A), Jun 14, 1995: Cessna 172, Brownsville, TN, Substantial damage. (-16) Pilot landed on grass strip. Pilot stated that because of the morning dew on the grass he was unable to stop. Ran into trees.

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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