# NTSB ERA11CA273: Cessna 172M, N12839, Suchez, GA, April 30, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: April 30, 2011, 16:00 local (20:00 UTC) - Place: Suchez, GA - Coordinates: 34.698055, -84.012779 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.6981&lon=-84.0128&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: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 3, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 78998 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA11CA273 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/78998/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=78998 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA11CA273 ## Probable cause The failure of the pilot to initiate a go-around and his excessive airspeed on the final landing approach. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Action: lack of action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 15 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 792 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 24 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: descent/approach/glide path](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 15 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/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: [Cessna 172M, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/380/sequence.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 400 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/380/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 51 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot stated that he overflew the airstrip to observe the windsock and noted that the wind favored runway 2, which was a 2,000 foot-long grass runway. He flew an approach to that runway, but executed a go-around because the airplane was too high. He remained in the traffic pattern and the airplane touched down at a point 800 to 1,000 feet from the approach end of the runway at 90 mph that was about 20 mph faster than normal. He later stated that at touchdown the wind shifted. After touchdown on the wet grass, he applied the brakes but the airplane would not stop. Because he was too far down the runway to perform a go-around, he continued on the ground with the brakes applied. The airplane traveled off the end of the runway where the right wing collided with a fence. The airplane then traveled through a ditch and came to rest upright in a field. The pilot reported that there was no preimpact failure or malfunction with the airplane or its systems. Postaccident inspection of the airplane and airstrip revealed damage to the right wing, including the lift strut. Marks on the runway revealed the airplane touched down about 800 feet before the departure end of the runway. ## Factual narrative The pilot stated that he had overflew the airstrip to observe the windsock and noted that the wind favored runway 02, which is a 2,000 foot-long grass runway. He flew an approach to that runway, but executed a go-around because the flight was too high. He remained in the traffic pattern and with the flaps set to 40 degrees, the airplane touched down at a point 800 to 1,000 feet from the approach end of the runway at 90 mph; he typically lands at 70 mph. He later stated that at touchdown, the wind shifted. After touchdown on the grass which was wet, he applied the brakes but the airplane would not stop. Because he was too far down the runway to perform a go-around, he continued on the ground with the brakes applied. The airplane traveled off the end of the runway where the right wing collided with a fence. The airplane then traveled through a ditch and came to rest upright in a field. The pilot reported there was no preimpact failure or malfunction with the airplane or its systems. Postaccident inspection of the airplane and airstrip by a FAA inspector revealed damage to the right wing including the lift strut. Marks on the runway revealed the airplane touched down about 800 feet before the departure end of the runway. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N12839](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N12839-2012-06-14), registration cancelled 2012-06-14, S/N 17262303, built 1973 (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: 17262303 - Airframe hours: 7473 - Engines: LYCOMING 0-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Roy D. Harris - Registered owner: Roy D. Harris - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, February 7, 2011 - Departed: DZJ, Blairesville, GA - Destination: GA87, Suchez, GA - Airport: GA87, High Valley Airpark, runway 02, 2,000 × 75 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 70; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 2, 2010; seat: left; flight hours: 3,700 total, 2,800 in this make and model, 3,700 as pilot in command, 24 in the last 90 days, 18 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 140° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 30.07 inHg - Observed at: GVL, 27 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 20110430007459A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110430007459A), Apr 30, 2011: Cessna 172M, Suches, GA, Substantial damage. Pilot initially overflew the 2000 foot sod runway (elevation 2800 feet) to check the wind direction/velocity. The winds at the time of the accident were gusty… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 9, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=78998. 678 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 549 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40350063&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Initial Pilot Statement (item 2, .PDF, 57 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40350094&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Initial%20Pilot%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - Weather Reports and Records (item 3, .PDF, 16 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40348309&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports%20and%20Records-Master.PDF - Record of NTSB Conversations (item 4, .PDF, 56 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40350297&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20NTSB%20Conversations-Redacted.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.