# NTSB CHI99LA245: Cessna 172N, N3558E, Greenville, MI, July 20, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 19, 1999, 20:15 local (Jul 20, 1999, 00:15 UTC) - Place: Greenville, MI - Coordinates: 43.170993, -85.249458 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.1710&lon=-85.2495&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 22, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 46839 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI99LA245 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/46839/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI99LA245 ## Probable cause the student pilot's inadequate use of the rudder which resulted in a loss of directional control during an aborted landing. A factor associated with the accident was the student's lack of total experience and the segmented circle which the airplane contacted. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - aborted - rudder - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor) - On ground/water collision with object, landing - aborted - object - airport facility (contributing factor) ## Analysis The student reported this was his second solo flight. He reported the landing was normal up until it felt like the airplane ballooned. He reported, 'In reality very little if I had continued to bleed off the speed with the yoke I would have been fine.' However, he reported that he decided to perform a go-around during which he failed to use right rudder. The airplane traveled off the side of the runway where it contacted a segmented circle. The pilot stated he could have avoided the accident by not performing a go-around in this case, using right rudder during the go-around, continuing to fly the airplane, and straightening the nose during landing. ## Factual narrative On July 19, 1999, at 2015 eastern daylight time (edt), a Cessna 172N, N3558E, collided with a segmented circle around the wind tetrahedron following a loss of control on landing on runway 09 (3,700' x 75') at the Greenville Municipal Airport, Greenville, Michigan. The student pilot was not injured. The airplane was substantially damaged. The 14 CFR Part 91 local solo instruction flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan. The flight originated from the Greenville Muncipal Airport at 0800. The student reported this was his second solo flight and he planned to perform two or three takeoffs and landings. He reported the landing was normal up until he felt like the airplane ballooned. He reported, "In reality very little if I had continued to bleed off the speed with the yoke I would have been fine." However, he reported that he decided to perform a go-around and the "...plane went off the runway to the left because I did not use right rudder like a normal takeoff." The pilot stated that since he was still on the ground he shut off the power and "...decided just to ride it out on the grass." The pilot stated he applied light brake pressure and "...hit right rudder at the end which collided with a section of the segmented circle." The student reported he could have avoided the accident by 1) not performing a go-around in this case, 2) using right rudder during a go-around, 3) continuing to fly the airplane, and 4) straightening the nose during landing. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3558E](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3558E), registered now, S/N 17271586, 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: 17271586 - Airframe hours: 5018 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Vsp Leasing, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 24, 1999 - Departed: 6D6 - Destination: 6D6 - Airport: 6D6, Greenville Municipal, runway 9, 3,700 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 44; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 23 total, 23 in this make and model, 1 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 60° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 2,300 ft broken - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 70 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: GRR, 23 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 19990719009819A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990719009819A), Jul 19, 1999: Cessna 172N, Greenville, MI, Substantial damage. (.19)On July 19, 1999, at 2015 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172N, N3558E, collided with a segmented circle around the wind tetrahedron following a loss of… ## Other investigations on N3558E (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 CHI94LA171](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI94LA171), May 24, 1994: Cessna 172N (N3558E), Mackinac Island, MI, substantial damage. Probable cause: EXCESSIVE AIRSPEED AND A FAILURE TO ATTAIN THE PROPER TOUCHDOWN POINT ON THE RUNWAY. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE WET RUNWAY AND THE FENCE WHICH WAS CONTACTED. 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.