# NTSB ERA14CA127: Cessna 172S, N426SP, Caldwell, NJ, February 17, 2014 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: February 17, 2014, 18:45 local (23:45 UTC) - Place: Caldwell, NJ - Coordinates: 40.875278, -74.281387 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.8753&lon=-74.2814&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report April 1, 2014 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 88818 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA14CA127 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/88818/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=88818 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14CA127 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control while landing. ## 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 172S, 66 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2072439), [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 172S, 206 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072439), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: snow/ice](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022060): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Cessna 172S, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022060/cases.md?model=2072439), [All aircraft, 67 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022060/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: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172S, 77 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2072439), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Cessna 172S, 76 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=2072439), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 172S, 118 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2072439), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he intended to complete three full-stop landings at night, to meet currency requirements. During the first landing, the airplane bounced three times and veered left. The pilot applied right rudder and right aileron in an attempt to correct; however, the nosegear struck a snowbank off the left side of the runway. During the collision, the airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted. The pilot added that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions with the airplane and the wind was reported as calm about the time of the accident. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed substantial damage to the right wing and vertical stabilizer. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that he intended to complete three full-stop landings at night, to meet currency requirements. During the first landing, the airplane bounced three times and veered left. The pilot applied right rudder and right aileron in an attempt to correct; however, the nosegear struck a snowbank off the left side of the runway. During the collision, the airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted. The pilot added that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions with the airplane and the wind was reported as calm about the time of the accident. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed substantial damage to the right wing and vertical stabilizer. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N426SP](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N426SP-2016-12-27), registration cancelled 2016-12-27, S/N 172S8353, built 2000 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172S - Registry model: [Cessna 172S](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172s) (registry code 2072439) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 SER A&C](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-ser-a-c) (registry code 41511, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 172S8353 - Year built: 2000 - Engines: LYCOMING IO-360 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Century Air - Registered owner: Prn LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 24, 2013 - Departed: CDW, Caldwell, NJ - Destination: CDW, Caldwell, NJ - Airport: CDW, Essex County Airport, runway 04, 4,552 × 80 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 46; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review July 17, 2013; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 343 total, 332 in this make and model, 250 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 27 °F, dew point 1 °F - Altimeter: 30.36 inHg - Observed at: CDW ## 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 20140217002369A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140217002369A), Feb 17, 2014: Cessna 172S, Fairfield, NJ, Substantial damage. On 02/17/2014 at 1845L, N426SP, a Cessna 172SP, was landing on runway 4 at the caldwell airport (cdw). Slightly after touchdown the aircraft veered off the… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 18, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=88818. 1.1 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 909 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40410655&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Weather Report (item 2, .PDF, 12 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40410656&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Report-Master.PDF - Photo 1- Main Wreckage (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 3, .PDF, 206 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40410657&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201-%20Main%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.