# NTSB ERA12CA270: Cessna 172M, N6871H, Pottstown, PA, April 5, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: April 5, 2012, 13:00 local (17:00 UTC) - Place: Pottstown, PA - Coordinates: 40.236946, -75.553886 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.2369&lon=-75.5539&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-aborted after touchdown: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 7, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 83313 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA12CA270 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/83313/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=83313 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12CA270 ## Probable cause The pilot’s inadequate recovery from a bounced landing, which resulted in a loss of control. ## 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 172M, 59 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 123 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072418), [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-aborted after touchdown: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300) (defining event); 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 According to the pilot, the landing approach was normal. However, during touchdown, the airplane bounced, and the pilot decided to perform a go-around. He applied full power and inadvertently raised the flaps from 30 degrees to zero degrees. As the pilot increased the pitch of the airplane to perform the go-around, the airplane drifted off the left side of the runway and settled into a grassy area. The airplane collided with a tree and sustained substantial damage to the wings and horizontal stabilizer. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative According to the pilot, the landing approach was normal. However, during the landing touchdown the airplane bounced and the pilot decided to perform a go-around. He applied full power and inadvertently raised the flaps from 30 degrees to zero degrees. As the pilot increased the pitch of the airplane to perform the go around, the airplane drifted off the left side of the runway and settled into a grassy area to the left of the runway. The airplane collided with a tree which resulted in substantial damage to the wings and horizontal stabilizer. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6871H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6871H-2018-01-08), registration cancelled 2018-01-08, S/N 17265621, built 1975 (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: 17265621 - Airframe hours: 7413 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320 SERIES 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Fare Share Ltd - Registered owner: Fare Share Ltd - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 6, 2012 - Departed: ZER, Pottsville, PA - Destination: PTW, Pottstown, PA - Airport: PTW, Heritage Field Airport, runway 28, 3,380 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 58; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 5, 2011; seat: left; flight hours: 175 total, 18 in this make and model, 60 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 6 knots, gusting 16 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 30 °F - Altimeter: 29.86 inHg - Observed at: PTW ## 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 20120405005429A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120405005429A), Apr 5, 2012: Cessna 172M, Pottstown, PA, Substantial damage. On 4/5/2012 at approximately 1330 local time, [privacy data omitted] (pilot in command of N6871H) was performing a landing on runway 28 at Pottstown heritage… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 7, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=83313. 3.3 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40366540&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - PTW Weather Observations (item 2, .PDF, 95 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40367006&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=PTW%20Weather%20Observations-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.