# NTSB CEN11LA153: Cessna 172A, N7262T, Clarendon, TX, January 17, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: January 16, 2011, 20:00 local (Jan 17, 2011, 02:00 UTC) - Place: Clarendon, TX - Coordinates: 34.904445, -100.851112 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.9044&lon=-100.8511&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern downwind: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report May 26, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA Flight Standards District Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 78165 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN11LA153 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/78165/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=78165 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11LA153 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to correctly set the altimeter, which resulted in his erroneous perception that the airplane was at a safe altitude. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Perception/orientation/illusion: perception](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02022040): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02022040/cases.md?model=2072404), [All aircraft, 61 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02022040/cases.md) - [Action: forgotten action/omission](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035/cases.md?model=2072404), [All aircraft, 440 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035/cases.md) - [Light condition: dark](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036020): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on personnel (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036020/cases.md?model=2072404), [All aircraft, 448 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach-VFR pattern downwind: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md?model=2072404), [All aircraft, 1,074 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the pilot, it was dark when he arrived at his destination. He saw the airport's rotating beacon but was unable to remotely activate the runway lights. He maneuvered the airplane onto the downwind leg of the traffic pattern, extended the flaps and reduced engine power. He thought the airplane was 900 feet above the ground when the airplane impacted terrain approximately 2-1/2 miles east of the airport. At the accident site, the altimeter read 7,500 feet. The terrain was approximately 2,800 feet. There were no mechanical anomalies found with the airplane. ## Factual narrative **This report was modified on 3/10/2011. Please see the docket for this accident to see the earlier version** On January 16, 2011, approximately 2000 central standard time, a Cessna 172A, N7262T, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain 1 mile east of Smiley Johnson Municipal/Bass Field (E34), Clarendon, Texas. Visual meteorological conditions (VMC) prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal flight was being conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 without a flight plan. The pilot, the sole occupant on board the airplane, was seriously injured. The cross-country flight originated at Abilene Regional Airport (ABI), Abilene, Texas, approximately at 1820, and was en route to E34. When the pilot did not return as scheduled, family members became concerned. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued an ALNOT (Alert Notice) on January 16 at 2345. The wreckage was found on January 17 approximately 0900. The pilot, who was still strapped to the overturned airplane, was transported to a hospital with a fractured leg and other unspecified injuries. In a hospital, and in follow-up interviews, the pilot said that he had full fuel on board the airplane, and he got a weather briefing prior to departing Abilene for Clarendon. En route weather was good. It was dark when he arrived at Clarendon. He saw the airport's rotating beacon but was unable to activate the runway lights. He turned downwind for landing, lowered the flaps and reduced power. He thought he was 900 feet above the ground when the airplane impacted terrain approximately 2-1/2 miles east of the airport. A FAA inspector who went to the scene reported finding the airplane's altimeter indicating 7,500 feet, whereas terrain at the accident site was approximately 2,800 feet msl (above mean sea level). No other anomalies were found. The pilot was asked on several occasions to complete and return a NTSB Form 6120.1-2, Pilot-Operator Aircraft Accident Report. He refused. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7262T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7262T-2013-08-06), registration cancelled 2013-08-06, S/N 46862, built 1959 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172A - Registry model: [Cessna 172A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172a) (registry code 2072404) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 46862 - Airframe hours: 2301 - Engines: Continental O-300-C 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: John A. Little - Registered owner: John A. Little - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, September 20, 2010, 99 hours before - Departed: ABI, Abilene, TX - Destination: E34, Clarendon, TX - Airport: E34, Smiley Johnson Mun/Bass Field ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 54; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 25, 2010; seat: left; flight hours: 4,000 total, 3,000 in this make and model, 24 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark - Wind: 200° at 5 knots - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 45 °F, dew point 41 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: ABI, 56 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 20110116000219A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110116000219A), Jan 16, 2011: Cessna 172A, Clarendon, TX, Substantial damage. On January 16, 2011, Cessna model 172A, registration number N7262T departed abilene, Texas at sunset on a VFR flight to Clarendon, Texas (E34). At… ## Other investigations on N7262T (1) 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. - [NTSB UNK65X1345](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/UNK65X1345), Jan 25, 1965: Cessna 172 (N7262T), Victoria, TX, destroyed ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 9, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=78165. 351 KB in all. - FAA Memorandum (item 1, .PDF, 56 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40344721&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Memorandum-Master.PDF - Satellite Photo of Crash Site (item 2, .PDF, 193 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40344722&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Satellite%20Photo%20of%20Crash%20Site-Master.PDF - Map of Crash Site (item 3, .PDF, 57 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40344723&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Map%20of%20Crash%20Site-Master.PDF - Weather Reports and Records (item 4, .PDF, 26 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40344175&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports%20and%20Records-Master.PDF - Factual Modifications (item 5, .PDF, 18 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40344873&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Factual%20Modifications-Master.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.