# NTSB DEN07CA043: Cessna 172N, N4811G, Cottonwood Fall, KS, December 24, 2006 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: December 24, 2006, 11:00 local (17:00 UTC) - Place: Cottonwood Fall, KS - Coordinates: 38.350833, -96.550277 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.3508&lon=-96.5503&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 4 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 26, 2007 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA Flight Standards District Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 65116 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN07CA043 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/65116/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN07CA043 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the fence. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's inability to properly identify the runway environment, and the improper in-flight decision to initiate a go-around. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, landing - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor) - wrong runway - used, pilot in command (contributing factor) - go-around - initiated, pilot in command - object - fence ## Analysis The pilot was unable to differentiate between the dirt runway and an adjacent road. Upon touchdown, the pilot decided the road was not the runway and initiated a go-around. The pilot reported that she hit and "broke through" a barbed wire fence adjacent to the road, resulting in substantial damage. The pilot continued with the go-around and landed on the runway without further incident. An examination of the airplane's system revealed no anomalies. ## Factual narrative According to the pilot, the trip was uneventful. Upon arrival at her destination, the pilot was unable to differentiate between the dirt runway and an adjacent road. The pilot misidentified the road as the runway due to the location of the wind sock, and attempted a landing. Upon touchdown, the pilot decided the road was not the runway and initiated a go-around. The pilot reported that she hit and "broke through" a barbed wire fence adjacent to the road. The pilot continued with the go-around and landed on the runway without further incident. An examination of the airplane revealed the horizontal stabilizer was crushed aft, and the spar was bent. An examination of the remaining airplane system, conducted by the FAA, revealed no anomalies. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4811G](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4811G), registered now, S/N 17273359, built 1979 (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: 17273359 - Airframe hours: 4530.4 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-H2 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, November 1, 2006 - Departed: MKC, KANSAS CITY, MO - Destination: 9K0, Cottonwood Fall, KS - Airport: 9K0, Chase County Airport, runway 17, 2,300 × 155 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 18; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review November 1, 2006; seat: left; flight hours: 109 total, 98 in this make and model, 26 as pilot in command, 23 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 39 °F, dew point 34 °F - Altimeter: 30.04 inHg - Observed at: KEMP, 17 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 20061224027809A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20061224027809A), Dec 24, 2006: Cessna 172N, Cottonwood Fall, KS, Substantial damage. (-23) The airman misidentified the landing surface for the airport, made an approach to a pasture, and flew through a 3 strand barbed wire fence. The pilot… ## Other investigations on N4811G (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 CEN13CA074](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13CA074), Nov 18, 2012: Cessna 172N (N4811G), Poplar Grove, IL, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control of the airplane while landing. 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.