# NTSB CEN18CA185: Cessna 120, N77273, Harlan, IA, May 16, 2018

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: May 16, 2018, 09:45 local (14:45 UTC)
- Place: Harlan, IA
- Coordinates: 41.586944, -95.336669 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.5869&lon=-95.3367&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 10, 2018
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: Flight Standards District Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 97299
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN18CA185
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/97299/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97299
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN18CA185

## Probable cause

The pilot’s late go-around during a bounced landing, which led to an aerodynamic stall and impact with terrain.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 120, 22 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2071402), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 120, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=2071402), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md)
- [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Cessna 120, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=2071402), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters: airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 120, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=2071402), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Landing: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090); cases with it: [Cessna 120, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=2071402), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md)
- [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 120, 19 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2071402), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md)
- [Approach-VFR go-around: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240); cases with it: [Cessna 120, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=2071402), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md)
- [Approach-VFR go-around: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241); cases with it: [Cessna 120, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md?model=2071402), [All aircraft, 1,529 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md)
- [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 120, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2071402), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot flew a visual approach to a 1,712-ft-long by 120-ft-wide turf runway. During touchdown, the airplane bounced and the pilot "felt out of control." The pilot executed a late go-around, during which the airplane struck a fence at the end of the airport property. Then, due to approaching trees, the pilot attempted to make a turn, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall. The airplane subsequently impacted terrain and came to rest inverted, which damaged the tail.

## Factual narrative

The pilot flew a visual approach to a 1,712-ft-long by 120-ft-wide turf runway. During touchdown, the airplane bounced and the pilot "felt out of control". The pilot executed a late go around, during which the airplane struck a fence at the end of the airport property, which slowed the airplane. Then, due to approaching trees, the pilot attempted to make a turn, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall. The airplane subsequently impacted terrain and came to rest inverted, which damaged the tail.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N77273](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N77273-2019-11-07), registration cancelled 2019-11-07, S/N 11486, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 120 (NO SERIES)
- Registry model: [Cessna 120](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-120) (registry code 2071402) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 11486
- Year built: 1946
- Airframe hours: 3203
- Engines: CONT MOTOR C85 SERIES 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 27, 2017
- Departed: AIO, Atlantic, IA
- Destination: HNR, Harlan, IA
- Airport: HNR, Harlan Muni, runway 03, 1,712 × 120 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 23; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review October 3, 2016; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 281 total, 29 in this make and model, 178 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 63 °F
- Altimeter: 30.04 inHg
- Observed at: KHNR

## 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 20180516005409A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180516005409A), May 16, 2018: Cessna 120, Harlan, IA, Substantial damage. The aircraft involved was substantially damaged on go-around when the horizontal stabilizer struck a barbed wire fence 265 feet north east of the departure end…

## Other investigations on N77273 (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 CHI70D0308](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI70D0308), Aug 14, 1969: Cessna 120 (N77273), Huron, OH, substantial damage

## Docket (3 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 19, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97299. 1.0 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 588 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40465355&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF
- Pilot's Clarification of Accident Sequence (item 2, .PDF, 75 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40465356&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%27s%20Clarification%20of%20Accident%20Sequence-Master.PDF
- Map of Airport and Accident Site (item 3, .PDF, 371 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40465357&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Map%20of%20Airport%20and%20Accident%20Site-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.

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