# NTSB CEN11CA604: Cessna 172M, N172LD, Plymouth, MI, August 29, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 28, 2011, 21:30 local (Aug 29, 2011, 01:30 UTC) - Place: Plymouth, MI - Coordinates: 42.348056, -83.45639 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.3481&lon=-83.4564&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Dragged wing/rotor/float/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 3, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA-Eastern Michigan FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 81639 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN11CA604 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/81639/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81639 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11CA604 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to perform a go-around when the airplane was not in a position to make a safe landing and his excessive use of bank control during the landing attempt, which resulted in the wing striking the ground. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 36 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: lateral/bank control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023/cases.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 390 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Dragged wing/rotor/float/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093/sequence.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 319 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093/sequence.md) - [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 100 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, during his landing approach, while about 15 feet above the ground, a gust of wind caused the airplane's nose to rise and turn to the left. He stated that he corrected and returned the airplane to a level attitude, but it was then pointed about 20 degrees off of the runway heading. The pilot attempted to return to the runway heading, but the wingtip struck the ground. The airplane then entered a ditch adjacent to the runway. The pilot reported no mechanical failures or malfunctions of the airplane. A weather report from a station located about 8 miles away from the accident airport recorded the wind speed as 6 knots; no wind gusts were recorded. A postaccident examination revealed substantial damage to the left wing. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that during his landing approach, about 15 feet above the ground, a gust of wind caused the airplane's nose to rise and turn to the left. He stated that he corrected and returned the airplane to a level attitude, but the it was then pointed about 20 degrees off of the runway heading. The pilot attempted to return to the runway heading, but the wingtip struck the ground. The airplane then entered a ditch adjacent to the runway. The pilot reported no mechanical failures or malfunctions of the airplane. A weather report from a station located about 8 miles away from the accident airport recorded the wind speed as 6 knots. No wind gusts were recorded. Postaccident examination revealed substantial damage to the left wing. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N172LD](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N172LD-2017-02-06), registration cancelled 2017-02-06, S/N 17264412, built 1974 (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: 17264412 - Airframe hours: 1900 - Engines: LYCOMING 0-320 SERIES 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 1, 2010, 11 hours before - Departed: TVC, Traverse City, MI - Destination: 1D2, Plymouth, MI - Airport: 1D2, Canton-Plymouth-Mettetal Arpt, runway 36, 2,303 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 63; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 28, 2011; seat: left; flight hours: 316 total, 316 in this make and model, 239 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night - Wind: 340° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 29.90 inHg - Observed at: YIP, 8 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 20110828021389A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110828021389A), Aug 28, 2011: Cessna 172M, Plymouth, MI, Substantial damage. The pilot stated that he departed tvc @ approx, 1930L on 8/28 and arrived at 1D2 approx. 2130L, landing rnwy 36. The pilot stated moments from touchdown, a… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 30, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81639. 1.1 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40354725&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF 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.