# NTSB ERA09CA252: Cessna/Air Repair 305F, N60537, Embden, ME, April 18, 2009

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: April 18, 2009, 14:45 local (18:45 UTC)
- Place: Embden, ME
- Coordinates: 44.883335, -69.916664 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.8833&lon=-69.9167&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Landing area overshoot](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/380)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 28, 2009
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- Parties: FAA FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 73682
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA09CA252
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/73682/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09CA252

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to obtain the proper touchdown point while landing.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Performance/control parameters: descent/approach/glide path](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md)
- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Landing-flare/touchdown: Landing area overshoot](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/380) (defining event); cases with it: [All aircraft, 400 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/380/sequence.md)
- [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md)

## Analysis

After a local flight while returning to his privately owned air strip, the pilot reported that he corrected for a sudden crosswind which resulted in a long landing. The airplane rolled onto a soft, unimproved area, causing the airplane to nose over. Structural damage to the airplane was evidenced by wrinkling of the upper wing skin above the cockpit and also in the area of the right wing lift strut attach point. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions.

## Factual narrative

After a local flight while returning to his privately owned air strip, the pilot reported that he corrected for a sudden crosswind which resulted in a long landing. The airplane rolled onto an unimproved area that was soft causing the airplane to nose over. Structural damage to the airplane was evidenced by wrinkling of the upper wing skin above the cockpit and also in the area of the right wing lift strut attach point. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N60537 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA/AIR REPAIR INC 305F
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: AR-9
- Airframe hours: 176
- Engines: CONT MOTOR O-470-11 190 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, June 11, 2008, 15 hours before
- Departed: None, Embden, ME
- Destination: None, Embden, ME
- Airport: None, Embden Airport, runway 36, 1,800 × 60 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review November 12, 2008; seat: front; flight hours: 177 total, 130 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 10° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 6,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 28 °F
- Altimeter: 29.87 inHg
- Observed at: WVL, 13 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 20090418008919A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090418008919A), Apr 18, 2009: Cessna 305F, Embdem, MA, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot landed long on 1400' grass strip in embden, Maine. Aircraft rolled out onto newly extended portion of runway and right landing gear sank into mud.…

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.

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