# NTSB CEN14CA186: Cessna 172N, N739RX, Marine City, MI, March 21, 2014 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: March 21, 2014, 16:15 local (20:15 UTC) - Place: Marine City, MI - Coordinates: 42.721389, -82.596389 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.7214&lon=-82.5964&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 4 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 2, 2014 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA Eastern Michigan FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 89013 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN14CA186 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/89013/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89013 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14CA186 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper recovery from a bounced landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 29 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: landing flare](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained; cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 38 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 1,285 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: snow/ice](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022060): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022060/cases.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 67 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022060/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 81 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 81 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing-aborted after touchdown: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 134 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Landing-aborted after touchdown: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 44 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that during a full-stop crosswind landing he flared too high and the airplane bounced during touchdown. After the second bounce the pilot added power for a go-around maneuver as the airplane's left main gear struck the snow bank on the edge of the runway. The airplane immediately pitched nose down, exited the left side of the runway, and impacted terrain, coming to rest inverted. The impact resulted in substantial damage to both wings, the left strut, and the vertical fin and rudder. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. He also reported that the accident would not have happened if he had used the proper crosswind correction, had used the proper flare and landing technique, or if he had earlier decided to go-around. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that during a full-stop crosswind landing he flared too high and the airplane bounced during touchdown. After the second bounce the pilot added power for a go-around maneuver as the airplane's left main gear struck the snow bank on the edge of the runway. The airplane immediately pitched nose down, exited the left side of the runway, and impacted terrain, coming to rest inverted. The impact resulted in substantial damage to both wings, the left strut, and the vertical fin and rudder. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. He also reported that the accident would not have happened if he had used the proper crosswind correction, had used the proper flare and landing technique, or if he had earlier decided to go-around. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N739RX](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N739RX-2016-04-20), registration cancelled 2016-04-20, S/N 17270755, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172N - Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17270755 - Year built: 1978 - Airframe hours: 11830 - Engines: LYCOMING 0-320 SERIES 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 3, 2013 - Departed: 76G, Marine City, MI - Destination: 76G, Marine City, MI - Airport: 76G, Marine City, runway 04, 3,100 × 60 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 54; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review September 6, 2013; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 88 total, 86 in this make and model, 32 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 150° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 36 °F, dew point 21 °F - Altimeter: 30.07 inHg - Observed at: KPHN, 12 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 20140321004659A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140321004659A), Mar 21, 2014: Cessna 172N, Marine City, MI, Substantial damage. Aircraft went off the left side of the runway hit a snow bank and flipped over on an attempted landing runway 4 at Marine City Airport (76G). The pilot stated… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 20, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89013. 2.2 MB in all. - Operator’s Aircraft Accident Report – NTSB Form 6120-1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40415297&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Operator%E2%80%99s%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report%20%E2%80%93%20NTSB%20Form%206120-1%20-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.