# NTSB CEN09CA041: Cessna 172, N54971, Monticello, IN, October 25, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 25, 2008, 17:10 local (21:10 UTC) - Place: Monticello, IN - Coordinates: 40.70861, -86.76667 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.7086&lon=-86.7667&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR go-around: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 4 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 3, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA Indianapolis FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 69367 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN09CA041 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/69367/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09CA041 ## Probable cause The pilot stalled the airplane during a go-around. Contributing to the accident included the pilot's improper in-flight decision, the tailwind landing, and the pilot's failure to put the carburetor Heat to "OFF" during the go-around. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Wind: tailwind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Contributed to outcome (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172P, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md?model=2072436), [All aircraft, 594 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md) - [Engine fuel and control: fuel control/carburetor](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057322): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172P, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057322/cases.md?model=2072436), [All aircraft, 195 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057322/cases.md) - [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172P, 19 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=2072436), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md) - [Planning/preparation: flight planning/navigation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061025): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172P, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061025/cases.md?model=2072436), [All aircraft, 179 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061025/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172P, 76 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072436), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach-VFR go-around: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172P, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md?model=2072436), [All aircraft, 1,529 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR go-around: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 172P, 45 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2072436), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot and three passengers in a Cessna 172P, which had 40 gallons of fuel on board, were on final approach to runway 36 after a 30 minute flight. The pilot reported that when the airplane was about 50 feet above ground level (agl), he executed a go-around because it felt like the winds were pushing the airplane left of the runway. He pushed in the throttle, raised the flaps 1 notch, and gradually raised the airplane's pitch attitude. (He did not push in the Carburetor Heat to the OFF position.) He reported that the airplane stalled and subsequently nosed over when the propeller impacted the terrain. The airport manager observed the airplane approaching from the south and landing on runway 36 even though the winds were out of the south. He reported that the pilot attempted to go-around when the airplane was about 15 feet agl, but the airplane stalled as it attempted to climb at low airspeed with a tailwind component. The airport manager noted that the winds were 220 degrees at 12 knots. A windsock and wind "T" were installed at the airport. ## Factual narrative The 19-year-old private pilot and three passengers in a Cessna 172P, which had 40 gallons of fuel on board, were on final approach to runway 36 after a 30 minute flight. The pilot reported that everything "seemed normal" until the airplane was about 50 feet above ground level (agl). He reported, "It felt like wind gusts were pushing me off the runway to the left." The pilot executed a go-around by pushing in the throttle, raising the flaps 1 notch, and gradually raising the airplane's pitch attitude. He reported that the airplane did not respond and it kept losing altitude. He reported that the airplane stalled and subsequently nosed over when the propeller impacted the terrain about 20 feet from the runway. The pilot and passengers exited the airplane through the front windshield without injuries. The airport manager reported that the airport's office was closed since it was after 5 PM, and he was out walking the dogs. He observed the airplane approaching from the south and landing on runway 36 even though the winds were out of the south. He reported that pilot attempted to go-around when the airplane was about 15 feet agl. He reported that the airplane stalled as it attempted to climb at low airspeed with a tailwind component. The airplane impacted the terrain and nosed over. The occupants had already exited the airplane when he arrived with a fire extinguisher. When he got back to the office, he noted that the winds were 220 degrees at 12 knots. The time of the accident was 1710. He reported that the airport's wind "T" and windsock were visible to the pilot. The pilot reported that the accident could have been prevented had he done the following: 1. Known the exact weather and forecast weather en route and at the destination. 2. Thoroughly calculated the Weight and Balance for the flight. 3. Made quicker and smarter decisions. 4. Made sure the Carburetor Heat was OFF on final approach. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N54971](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N54971-2013-01-30), registration cancelled 2013-01-30, S/N 17275095, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172 (P) - 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: 17275095 - Engines: Lycoming reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Lafayette Aviation Inc - Registered owner: Lafayette Aviation Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: LAF, West Lafayette, IN - Destination: MCX, Monticello, IN - Airport: MCX, White County Airporr, runway 36, 4,002 × 60 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 19; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1; flight hours: 155 total, 5 in this make and model, 145 as pilot in command, 38 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 220° at 12 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 4,700 ft broken - Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 37 °F - Altimeter: 29.87 inHg - Observed at: LAF ## 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 20081025851489A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20081025851489A), Oct 25, 2008: Cessna 172P, Monticello, IN, Destroyed. (-23) The pilot made several mistakes prior to departure, he did not obtain a weather briefing for his intended route of flight or destination, the pilot also… 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.