# NTSB ERA11CA236: Cessna 172N, N6338F, Millville, NJ, April 10, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: April 10, 2011, 11:35 local (15:35 UTC) - Place: Millville, NJ - Coordinates: 39.367221, -75.072219 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.3672&lon=-75.0722&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR go-around: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 12, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 78830 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA11CA236 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/78830/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=78830 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA11CA236 ## Probable cause The pilot’s improper recovery from a bounced landing which resulted in a loss of aircraft control during the go-around. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 82 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Personality/attitude: motivation/respond to pressure](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021025): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021025/cases.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 53 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021025/cases.md) - [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 29 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/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: Tailstrike](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/091); cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/091/sequence.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 124 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/091/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 81 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR go-around: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 22 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR go-around: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 45 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR go-around: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 134 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot was on a flight with two other pilot-rated passengers, practicing a no flap landing. He flared the airplane about half-way down the runway, it bounced, and then pitched up, drifted to the left, and the tail tie-down contacted the runway. The pilot relinquished the controls, and the pilot-rated passenger in the right front seat took control of the airplane. He lowered the pitch, and added full power to perform a go around. During the go-around, as the airplane climbed, it continued to the left, and the left horizontal stabilizer impacted an airport sign, separating the left elevator from the airplane. The pilot-rated passenger continued the climb and landed uneventfully. The left horizontal stabilizer, left elevator, and rudder were substantially damaged during the accident sequence. The pilot reported there were no mechanical anomalies with the airplane. ## Factual narrative The pilot-in-command, along with two other pilot-rated passengers, was practicing a no flap landing. The pilot in command began to flare the airplane about half-way down the runway, bounced, and then pitched the airplane up. The airplane drifted to the left, while the tail tie-down contacted the runway. The pilot-rated passenger in the right front seat took control of the airplane, lowered the pitch, and added full power in an attempt to go around. As the airplane climbed, it continued to the left, and the left horizontal stabilizer impacted an airport sign, separating the left elevator from the airplane. The pilot-rated passenger in the right seat continued the climb and returned to land uneventfully. The left horizontal stabilizer, left elevator, and rudder were substantially damaged during the accident sequence. The pilot-in-command reported there were no mechanical anomalies with the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6338F](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6338F), registered now, S/N 17273195, 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: 17273195 - Airframe hours: 11707 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320 SERIES 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Paramus Flying Club Inc - Registered owner: Paramus Flying Club Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 7, 2010 - Departed: LDJ, Linden, NJ - Destination: MIV, Millville, NJ - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: MIV, Millville Municipal Airport, runway 10, 6,002 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 43; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review October 22, 2010; seat: left; flight hours: 82 total, 29 in this make and model, 34 as pilot in command, 23 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours - Other flight crew; age 43; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review June 26, 2010; seat: right; flight hours: 911 total, 250 in this make and model, 766 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 2,500 ft overcast - Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 43 °F - Altimeter: 30.15 inHg - Observed at: MIV ## 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 20110410004919A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110410004919A), Apr 10, 2011: Cessna 172N, Millville, NJ, Substantial damage. Two pilots where approaching miv where they intended to simulate an instrument approach, the ILS to rwy 10, and make a full stop. The pilot in the left seat… ## Other investigations on N6338F (2) 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 IAD02LA067](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD02LA067), Jul 4, 2002: Cessna 172 (N6338F), Fulton, NY, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's improper flare, which resulted in a misaligned, hard landing. - [NTSB NYC95LA193](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC95LA193), Aug 14, 1995: Cessna 172 (N6338F), Fulton, NY, substantial damage. Probable cause: the pilot misjudged the flare, resulting in a hard landing and subsequent collapse of the nose gear. ## Docket (6 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 25, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=78830. 3.1 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 669 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40346625&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Witness Statement (item 2, .PDF, 185 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40346626&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - New Jersey Department of Transportation Aircraft Accident/Incident Report Form (item 3, .PDF, 1.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40346639&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=New%20Jersey%20Department%20of%20Transportation%20Aircraft%20Accident%2FIncident%20Report%20Form-Redacted.PDF - KMIV Weather Observations (item 4, .PDF, 89 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40346628&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=KMIV%20Weather%20Observations-Master.PDF - Photograph 1: Aft View of Airplane Damage (Courtesy of FAA) (item 5, .PDF, 613 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40346636&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photograph%201%3A%20Aft%20View%20of%20Airplane%20Damage%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF - Photograph 2: Damaged Airport Sign and Left Elevator (Courtesy of FAA) (item 6, .PDF, 340 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40346637&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photograph%202%3A%20Damaged%20Airport%20Sign%20and%20Left%20Elevator%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF 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.