# NTSB ATL97LA109: Cessna 172M, N13428, Athens, TN, July 20, 1997

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 20, 1997, 15:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Athens, TN
- Coordinates: 35.449676, -84.599494 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.4497&lon=-84.5995&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 24, 1998
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 3880
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL97LA109
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3880/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL97LA109

## Probable cause

the pilot's failure to initiate a go-around.  The pilot's misjudged approach was a factor.

## Sequence of events

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

- Overrun, landing - roll
  - distance/speed - misjudged, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - go-around - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - object - fence

## Analysis

The pilot stated, and witnesses observed, that the airplane landed fast and long and was unable to stop or takeoff prior to leaving the end of the runway.  The airplane departed the end of the runway and struck a fence.

## Factual narrative

On July 20, 1997, about 1500	eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172M, N13428,  collided with a fence off the end of the runway during landing at the McMinn County Airport, Athens, Tennessee.  The airplane was operated by the pilot under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91, and visual flight rules.  Visual meteorological conditions existed, and no flight plan was filed for the local, personal flight.  The pilot and three passengers were not injured, and the airplane was substantially damaged.  The flight departed McMinn County Airport about 1430 on the same day.

According to the FAA Inspector on-scene the pilot stated and witnesses observed that the aircraft landed fast and long and was unable to stop prior to leaving the runway.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N13428](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N13428-2002-09-18), registration cancelled 2002-09-18, S/N 17262745, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Cessna 172M
- Registry model: [Cessna 172M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172m) (registry code 2072418) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17262745
- Engines: Lycoming O-320 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Michael B. Guest
- Registered owner: C&G Aircraft Sales Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: MMI
- Airport: MMI, Athens Mc Minn Co

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, expired; seat: left

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 68 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: KMM

## 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 19970720018859A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970720018859A), Jul 20, 1997: Cessna 172M, Athens, TN, Substantial damage. Landed fast and long. Unable to stop. Ran off end thru a fence. (-23) see attached; no narrative attached.

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.