# NTSB ERA14CA151: Cessna 172M, N1319U, Pittstown, NJ, March 7, 2014 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: March 7, 2014, 14:00 local (19:00 UTC) - Place: Pittstown, NJ - Coordinates: 40.565834, -74.979446 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.5658&lon=-74.9794&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 1, 2014 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 88904 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA14CA151 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/88904/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=88904 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14CA151 ## 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 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-flare/touchdown: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 47 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 100 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that during the landing flare, about 1 to 2 feet above the ground, the airplane drifted right. The right main landing gear then contacted a snowbank along the right side of the runway, which caused the airplane to nose over. The airplane subsequently came to rest inverted adjacent to the runway. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. The inspector did not observe any preimpact mechanical malfunctions with the airplane, nor did the pilot report any. The recorded wind at a nearby airport, about the time of the accident, was variable at 6 knots. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that during the landing flare, about 1 to 2 feet above the ground, the airplane drifted right. The right main landing gear then contacted a snowbank along the right side of the runway, which caused the airplane to nose over. The airplane subsequently came to rest inverted adjacent to the runway. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. The inspector did not observe any preimpact mechanical malfunctions with the airplane, nor did the pilot report any. The recorded wind at a nearby airport, about the time of the accident, was variable at 6 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1319U](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1319U), registered now, S/N 17267008 (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: 17267008 - Year built: 1976 - Airframe hours: 7443 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Morris Aero Club - Registered owner: Morris Aero Club - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 29, 2013, 76 hours before - Departed: MMU, Morristown, NJ - Destination: N40, Pittstown, NJ - Airport: N40, Sky Manor Airport, runway 25, 2,900 × 50 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 62; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review September 13, 2012; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 135 total, 69 in this make and model, 81 as pilot in command, 4 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 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 3,100 ft broken - Temperature: 37 °F, dew point 25 °F - Altimeter: 30.12 inHg - Observed at: SMQ, 10 nm away ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 24, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=88904. 2.1 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40410698&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Interview Summary (item 2, .PDF, 51 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40410699&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Interview%20Summary-Master.PDF - Weather Report (item 3, .PDF, 12 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40410700&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Report-Master.PDF - Photo 1 - Wing Damage (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 4, .PDF, 210 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40410701&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20-%20Wing%20Damage%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.