# NTSB CEN12CA526: Cessna 172R, N989BT, Leesville, LA, August 3, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 3, 2012, 16:50 local (21:50 UTC) - Place: Leesville, LA - Coordinates: 31.168333, -93.342498 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.1683&lon=-93.3425&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR go-around: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report November 26, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA - Baton Rouge FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 84598 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN12CA526 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/84598/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84598 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12CA526 ## Probable cause The student pilot's failure to properly re-configure the airplane for a go-around, which resulted in a runway excursion when he decided to land on the remaining runway. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Flight control system: tE flap control system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022750): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172R, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022750/cases.md?model=2072401), [All aircraft, 74 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022750/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: configuration](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062017): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172R, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062017/cases.md?model=2072401), [All aircraft, 80 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062017/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Student/instructed pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172R, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=2072401), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/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: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172R, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=2072401), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Cessna 172R, 39 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=2072401), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Cessna 172R, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=2072401), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The student pilot was returning from a solo cross-country flight. He stated that during the final approach to land, with the airplane configured with full flaps, he thought that the airplane was not descending as expected, the speed was higher than normal, and that he would land too far down the runway. The student pilot elected to execute a go-around and applied full power but did not retract the flaps. He stated that the airplane was not climbing and that he decided to land on the remaining runway because he didn't think he would clear the trees at the end of the runway. The airplane subsequently departed the end of the runway, struck a ditch, and flipped over. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The airplane sustained damage to both wings, the fuselage, and the vertical tail. ## Factual narrative The student pilot was returning from a solo cross-country flight. He stated that during the final approach to land, with the airplane configured with full flaps, he felt that the airplane was not descending as expected, the speed was higher than normal, and that he would land too far down the runway. The student pilot elected to execute a go-around and applied full power but did not retract the flaps. He stated that the airplane was not climbing and he decided to land on the remaining runway because he didn't think he would clear the trees at the end of the runway. The airplane subsequently went off the end of the runway and struck a ditch and flipped over. The pilot stated that there were no mechanical problems with the airplane. The airplane sustained damage to both wings, the fuselage, and the vertical tail. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N989BT](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N989BT-2012-11-13), registration cancelled 2012-11-13, S/N 17280463, built 1998 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172R - Registry model: [Cessna 172R](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172r) (registry code 2072401) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17280463 - Airframe hours: 3174 - Engines: LYCOMING IO-360 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: F17, Center, TX - Destination: L39, Leesville, LA - Flight plan: Unknown - Airport: L39, Leesville Airport, runway 36, 3,807 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 35; injuries: minor; student; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 63 total, 63 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 200° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 93 °F, dew point 72 °F - Altimeter: 29.88 inHg - Observed at: POE, 18 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 20120803016809A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120803016809A), Aug 3, 2012: Cessna 172R, Leesville, LA, Substantial damage. Pilot was in landing phase for runway 36, he noticed the aircraft wasn't descending as quickly as he would have liked and recognized he was going to land long.… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 12, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84598. 294 KB in all. - Pilot Statement (item 1, .PDF, 226 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40376586&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - Record of Conversation - Pilot (item 2, .PDF, 68 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40376587&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20-%20Pilot-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.