# NTSB CHI96LA062: Cessna 172M, N172DA, Excelsior Sprg, MO, December 27, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: December 26, 1995, 22:15 local (Dec 27, 1995, 04:15 UTC) - Place: Excelsior Sprg, MO - Coordinates: 39.350769, -94.22953 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.3508&lon=-94.2295&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor - Status: Completed, report April 29, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 10176 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI96LA062 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10176/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI96LA062 ## Probable cause the pilot's selection of the wrong runway for landing and the delayed aborted landing. Factors associated with the accident were the tailwind condition and the pilot's inadequate level-off. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - flare/touchdown - level off - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor) - In flight collision with object, landing - aborted - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor) - wrong runway - selected, pilot in command (cause) - aborted landing - delayed, pilot in command (cause) - object - tree(s) ## Analysis The pilot flew off course during the flight and became disoriented, and was attempting to land at an unfamiliar airport. He made three passes down the runway but was unable to see a wind sock. He stated he then landed on Runway 19 on the numbers and applied brakes; however, when the airplane did not slow down he applied full power to take off. The airplane became airborne and contacted trees near the end of the runway. A witness stated the airplane touched down then porpoised on the runway prior to taking off. The pilot reported the last wind information he received from flight service indicated winds from 330 degrees at 10 mph. The witness reported local winds at the time were from 350 degrees at 9 knots. ## Factual narrative On December 26, 1995, at 2215 central standard time, a Cessna 172M, N172DA, operated by a private pilot collided with trees and the terrain while landing at the Excelsior Springs Memorial Airport, Excelsior Springs, Missouri, while on a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The airplane was substantially damaged. The pilot received minor injuries and the passenger was seriously injured. The flight departed Jefferson, Missouri, at 2034 cst. The pilot stated that after departing Jefferson, Missouri, he flew off course and became disoriented. The pilot located an airport, but was unable to determine which airport it was. He stated he made three low passes over the runway in an attempt to determine its suitability for landing and that he did not see the wind sock. He reported that on the fourth pass, he touched down on the runway numbers and applied brakes. He reported the brakes did not slow the airplane so he "immediately applied power" and turned off the carburetor heat. He stated the airplane "jumped 60'" at which time he nosed the airplane down and retracted the flaps. He stated he was unaware of the trees which bordered the side and end of the runway. He stated that he banked the airplane to the right when he realized he was not going to clear the trees. The airplane contacted the trees and came to rest in a wooded area. The pilot was attempting the landing on runway 19 (2,000' x 47'). The pilot reported the last wind information he received from flight service reported winds from "330 degrees at 10 MPH." A weather observation taken approximately 45 minutes after the accident, at an airport 16 miles away reported winds from 350 degrees at 9 knots. A witness to the accident reported the airplane touched down near the end of the runway then it began to porpoise. In addition, he reported that the airplane was approximately 2/3 the way down the runway prior to hearing full power being applied. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N172DA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N172DA-2012-02-29), registration cancelled 2012-02-29, S/N 17264862, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172M - Registry model: [Cessna 172M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172m) (registry code 2072418) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 14264862 - Airframe hours: 6085 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Howard O. Ware - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, January 20, 1995 - Departed: JEF, JEFFERSON CITY, MO - Destination: STJ, ST. JOSEPH, MO - Airport: 3EX, Excelsior Springs Mem., runway 19, 2,000 × 47 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 55; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 201 total, 111 in this make and model, 138 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/bright - Wind: 350° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 28 °F, dew point 25 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: MCI, 16 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 19951226042519A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19951226042519A), Dec 26, 1995: Cessna 172M, Excelsior, MO, Substantial damage. Located airport after being lost. Tried five times land downwind then began belated go around and struck trees. 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.