# NTSB ERA13CA218: Cessna 172P, N96178, Davis, WV, April 26, 2013 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: April 26, 2013, 12:40 local (16:40 UTC) - Place: Davis, WV - Coordinates: 39.055, -79.431388 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.0550&lon=-79.4314&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 3 serious - Status: Completed, report August 13, 2013 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 86747 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA13CA218 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/86747/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=86747 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA13CA218 ## Probable cause The pilot’s improper glidepath as he approached the runway and his subsequent delayed decision to abort the landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172P, 20 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=2072436), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Action: delayed action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172P, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md?model=2072436), [All aircraft, 894 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Landing area overshoot](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/380); cases with it: [Cessna 172P, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/380/sequence.md?model=2072436), [All aircraft, 400 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/380/sequence.md) - [Landing-aborted after touchdown: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Cessna 172P, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=2072436), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172P, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md?model=2072436), [All aircraft, 1,074 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md) ## Analysis At the end of a cross-country flight, the pilot entered the traffic pattern for the 3,000-foot-long by 40-foot-wide runway at the residential airpark. The pilot stated that because he was concerned about the houses located near the runway, he approached the runway higher and faster than he normally would. As a result, the airplane touched down near the runway mid-point. When he realized that insufficient distance remained to stop the airplane, the pilot aborted the landing. During the subsequent climb, the pilot heard the stall warning sound and decreased the pitch attitude to gain airspeed. About that time, the airplane struck trees beyond the departure end of the runway and impacted the ground in a nose-down attitude, which resulted in substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures of the airframe or engine what would have precluded normal operation and that his decision to abort the landing was “about 5 seconds too late.” ## Factual narrative At the conclusion of the cross-country flight, the pilot entered the traffic pattern for the 3,000-foot long by 40-foot wide runway at the residential airpark. The pilot was concerned by the houses located near the runway, so he approached higher and faster than was customary. The airplane subsequently touched down near the runway mid-point, and realizing that insufficient distance remained to stop the airplane, the pilot aborted the landing. During the climb the pilot heard the stall warning sound and decreased the pitch attitude to gain airspeed. About that time the airplane struck trees beyond the departure end of the runway and subsequently impacted the ground. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures of the airframe or engine what would have precluded normal operation, and that his decision to abort the landing was “about 5 seconds too late.” ## Aircraft - Registration: [N96178](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N96178-2015-06-03), registration cancelled 2015-06-03, S/N 17276033, built 1983 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172P - Registry model: [Cessna 172P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172p) (registry code 2072436) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17276033 - Airframe hours: 8223 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D2J 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Mclean Holding Group LLC - Registered owner: Mclean Holding Group LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility - Last inspection: Annual, November 20, 2012, 78 hours before - Departed: JYO, Leesburg, VA - Destination: WV62, Davis, WV - Airport: WV62, Windwood Fly-In Resort Airport, runway 06, 3,000 × 40 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 46; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review March 5, 2013; seat: left; flight hours: 136 total, 136 in this make and model, 38 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 110° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 36 °F - Altimeter: 30.43 inHg - Observed at: W99, 14 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 20130426005739A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20130426005739A), Apr 26, 2013: Cessna 172P, Davis, WV, Destroyed. Acccording to the pilot, he touched down the aircraft approximately halfway down the runway (the runway is 3000 ft) and decided to perform a go around because… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 23, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=86747. 6.9 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 277 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40392144&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - FAA Inspector's Pilot Interview Summary (item 2, .PDF, 69 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40392146&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%27s%20Pilot%20Interview%20Summary-Master.PDF - Photo 1 - View of Wreckage from Side (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 3, .PDF, 3.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40392148&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20-%20%20View%20of%20Wreckage%20from%20Side%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF - Photo 2 - View of Trees and Wreckage (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 4, .PDF, 3.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40392150&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%20-%20View%20of%20Trees%20and%20Wreckage%20(Photo%20Courtesy%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.