# NTSB CEN21LA062: Cessna 120, N2376N, Johnson City, KS, November 17, 2020 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: November 17, 2020, 14:35 local (20:35 UTC) - Place: Johnson City, KS - Coordinates: 37.579722, -101.59972 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.5797&lon=-101.5997&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA Flight Standards - NTSB case key (mKey): 102302 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN21LA062 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/102302/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=102302 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA062 ## Probable cause The pilot’s improper decision to fly the airplane at too low an altitude resulting in the airplane impacting terrain. ## 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 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) - [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 120, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=2071402), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 120, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md?model=2071402), [All aircraft, 780 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported he had just departed from the airport and saw a family member working in an adjacent field and decided to perform a flyby. While performing a low-level left turn over the field, he felt the left wing dropping toward the ground. The pilot immediately applied full right aileron, at which point, the left wing began dragging on the ground. The airplane’s propeller subsequently impacted the ground, followed by the right wing, and the airplane slid to a stop. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing and fuselage. The pilot reported there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot reported if he had been at a higher altitude, the accident would not have happened. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2376N](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2376N), registered now, S/N 12625 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 120 - 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: 12625 - Year built: 1947 - Airframe hours: 3177 - Engines: Continental C-85-12 85 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 6, 2020 - Destination: Same as departure ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 36; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review December 24, 2018; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 393 total, 41 in this make and model, 359 as pilot in command, 55 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 170° at 20 knots, gusting 25 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 51 °F - Altimeter: 30.23 inHg - Observed at: JHN, 6.4 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 20201117017249A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20201117017249A), Nov 17, 2020: Cessna 120, Johnson City, KS, Substantial damage. While visiting family,the pilot landed at jhn and fueled aircraft. He then taxied to runway 17 and then departed the area to the east and saw a family member… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 17, 2021, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=102302. 1.7 MB in all. - NTSB form 6120 pilot operator report CEN21LA062 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 1.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11690824&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB%20Form%206120%20Pilot%20Operator%20Report%20CEN21LA062_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photo array CEN21LA062 (item 2, PDF, 2 pages, 286 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11690242&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Array%20CEN21LA062-Rel.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.