# NTSB ERA12CA416: Cessna 172M, N73134, Churchville, MD, June 15, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 15, 2012, 13:30 local (17:30 UTC) - Place: Churchville, MD - Coordinates: 39.566665, -76.201385 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.5667&lon=-76.2014&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 13, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 84096 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA12CA416 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/84096/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84096 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12CA416 ## Probable cause The tractor operator's failure to confirm the landing airplane's position before entering an active runway, which resulted in a ground collision. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Object/animal/substance: ground equipment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022050): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on equipment (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022050/cases.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 52 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022050/cases.md) - [Action: lack of action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Airport personnel (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) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-landing roll: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 15 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 618 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot stated that he was preparing to land at the airport and that he made radio calls on the common traffic advisory frequency (CTAF) to announce the airplane's position on the downwind, base, and final legs of the traffic pattern. While on the landing roll, as the airplane traveled over a crest in the runway, the pilot observed a tractor crossing the runway from left to right. The pilot steered the airplane to the right to avoid a collision, and the airplane's left wing contacted the tractor, which resulted in substantial damage. The operator of the tractor stated that he heard the airplane's CTAF transmissions but proceeded to cross the runway because he assumed that the airplane was already clear of the runway. The pilot reported there were no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies with the airplane. ## Factual narrative The pilot stated that he was preparing to land at the airport and made radio calls on the common traffic advisory frequency (CTAF) to announce the airplane's position on the downwind, base, and final legs of the traffic pattern. While on the landing roll, as the airplane traveled over a crest in the runway, the pilot observed a tractor crossing the runway from left to right. The pilot steered the airplane to the right to avoid a collision, and the airplane's left wing contacted the tractor, resulting in substantial damage. The operator of the tractor stated that he heard the airplane's CTAF transmissions, but proceeded to cross because he assumed that the airplane was clear of the runway. The pilot reported there were no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies with the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N73134](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N73134), registered now, S/N 17267281, built 1976 (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: 17267281 - Airframe hours: 10540 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320 SERIES 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Ck Leasing Services LLC - Registered owner: Ck Leasing Services LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 20, 2012 - Departed: 0W3, Churchville, MD - Destination: 0W3, Churchville, MD - Airport: 0W3, Harford County Airport, runway 01, 2,000 × 75 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 67; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review September 30, 2011; seat: left; flight hours: 520 total, 204 in this make and model, 506 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 90° at 4 knots - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 30.23 inHg - Observed at: APG, 6 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 20120615012039A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120615012039A), Jun 15, 2012: Cessna 172M, Churchville, MD, Destroyed. Pilot was on landing rollout on runway 01, when a tractor which was mowing grass started to cross the runway. There is a crest on this runway and you cannot… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 19, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84096. 4.9 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 965 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40372957&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Memorandum for Record - FAA Inspector (item 2, .PDF, 84 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40373003&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20-%20FAA%20Inspector-Master.PDF - Photo 1 - Damage to outboard left wing (Courtesy of FAA) (item 3, .PDF, 1.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40372958&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20-%20Damage%20to%20outboard%20left%20wing%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF - Photo 2 - Damage to inboard left wing (Courtesy of FAA) (item 4, .PDF, 2.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40372959&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%20-%20Damage%20to%20inboard%20left%20wing%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.