# NTSB CHI04LA137: Cessna 175, N9401B, Blissfield, MI, June 4, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 4, 2004, 17:20 local (21:20 UTC) - Place: Blissfield, MI - Coordinates: 41.869445, -84.074722 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.8694&lon=-84.0747&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report December 3, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 59382 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI04LA137 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/59382/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI04LA137 ## Probable cause The pilot selected the wrong runway on which to land which resulted in exceeding the proper touchdown point during landing. Factors associated with the accident were the tailwind condition and the drainage ditch which the airplane contacted. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Overrun, landing - roll - wrong runway - selected, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor) - proper touchdown point - exceeded, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor) - Nose over, landing - roll ## Analysis The airplane nosed over during a landing overrun on the pilot's private airstrip. The pilot reported he was landing to the west on his 1,300 foot by 100 foot grass airstrip when the accident occurred. He stated there are high-tension power lines on the west end of the airstrip so if the winds are 5 knots or less, he lands to the west so he does not have to cross the lines on approach. The pilot stated the winds at his departure airport, 6 minutes away, were from 050 degrees at 6 knots. He stated he landed a bit further down the airstrip than normal and he attempted to ground loop the airplane when he realized he was not going to be able to stop. The pilot stated that due to the lack of friction because of the grass, he was unable to ground loop the airplane and it continued off the end of the airstrip. The airplane nosed over when it contacted a 6-foot deep drainage ditch. ## Factual narrative On June 4, 2004, at 1720 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 175, N9401B, nosed over during a landing overrun on the pilot's private airstrip in Blissfield, Michigan. The commercial rated pilot received minor injuries. The airplane was substantially damaged. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan. The flight originated from the Lenawee County Airport (ADG), Adrian, Michigan, at 1715. The pilot reported he was landing to the west on his 1,300 foot by 100 foot grass airstrip when the accident occurred. He stated there are high-tension power lines on the west end of the airstrip so if the winds are 5 knots or less, he lands to the west so he does not have to cross the lines on approach. The pilot stated the winds at his departure airport, 6 minutes away, were from 050 degrees at 6 knots. He stated he landed a bit further down the airstrip than normal and he attempted to ground loop the airplane when he realized he was not going to be able to stop. The pilot stated that due to the lack of friction because of the grass, he was unable to ground loop the airplane and it continued off the end of the airstrip. The airplane nosed over when it contacted a 6-foot deep drainage ditch. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9401B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9401B-2009-08-24), registration cancelled 2009-08-24, S/N 55201, built 1958 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 175 - Registry model: [Cessna 175](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-175) (registry code 2072502) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Franklin 6V 350 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/franklin-6v-350-series) (registry code 27043, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 55201 - Airframe hours: 3350 - Engines: Franklin 6A-350-C2 220 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: James E. Thompson - Registered owner: JT Engineering, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, December 22, 2003, 50 hours before - Departed: ADG, Adrian, MI - Destination: PVT, Blissfield, MI - Airport: runway 27, 1,300 × 100 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 50; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review March 29, 2004; seat: left; flight hours: 3,035 total, 500 in this make and model, 2,995 as pilot in command, 36 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 50° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Incident 20040604013919I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040604013919I), Jun 4, 2004: Cessna 175, Blissfield, MI, Minor damage. (-23) Mr. Thompson was flying the aircraft and failed to stop the aircraft on the grass strip runway. Aircraft departed the west end of the runway, crossed a… 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.