# NTSB ERA14LA122: Cessna 172M, N194EX, Pinson, TN, February 14, 2014 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: February 14, 2014, 17:59 local (23:59 UTC) - Place: Pinson, TN - Coordinates: 35.455001, -88.706947 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.4550&lon=-88.7069&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 27, 2015 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - NTSB case key (mKey): 88802 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA14LA122 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/88802/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=88802 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14LA122 ## Probable cause The noninstrument-rated pilot’s decision to continue flight into deteriorating weather conditions at night and his failure to divert in a timely manner, which resulted in an off-airport precautionary landing and subsequent substantial damage to the airplane. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Ceiling/visibility/precip: below VFR minima](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035075): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on personnel (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035075/cases.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 184 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035075/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 36 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: soft surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020/cases.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 264 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute-cruise: VFR encounter with IMC](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/401); cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/401/sequence.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 392 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/401/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 28 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 23 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) ## Analysis The noninstrument-rated pilot departed late in the afternoon in marginal visual flight rules (VFR) conditions. After climbing the airplane to the desired cruising altitude, he was forced to descend due to worsening weather conditions to maintain VFR. Shortly after, an air traffic controller advised the pilot that the weather conditions at the destination airport had deteriorated and suggested a diversionary airport. While en route to the diversionary airport in dark night and worsening weather conditions, the pilot chose to perform a precautionary landing to a field. The airplane landed hard in muddy terrain, which resulted in substantial damage to the empennage and right wing and serious injury to the passenger. Examination of the wreckage revealed no preimpact mechanical anomaly that would have precluded normal operation. The copilot seat was found separated from its rails. Maintenance log entries showed compliance with a Federal Aviation Administration airworthiness directive (AD) for inspection of seat rail wear during the airplane's annual inspection 10 months before the accident. Postaccident examination and measurement of the dimensions of the seat rails revealed that they were worn but that they did not exceed the allowable tolerances specified in the AD. According to the passenger, she had unfastened her seat belt and shoulder harness during the flight to retrieve a fallen article on the floor of the cockpit and did not recall if she refastened the seatbelt and shoulder harness before landing. ## Factual narrative On February 14, 2014, at 1759 central standard time, a Cessna 172M, N194EX, was substantially damaged during a precautionary landing in Pinson, Tennessee. The private pilot/owner was not injured, and the passenger sustained serious injuries. Night instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight, which was operated under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The airplane departed Springfield-Branson National Airport, Springfield (SGF), Missouri, with Northwest Alabama Regional Airport (MSL) as the intended destination.The pilot stated that he obtained "all available" current and forecast weather information along the intended route of flight using a commercial weather vendor, and updated his weather information during the flight with air traffic control (ATC) and an on-line commercial weather vendor. The weather conditions at departure were "marginal" visual flight rules (VFR) conditions, and after climbing the airplane to his desired cruising altitude, he was forced to descend due to worsening weather conditions and to maintain VFR. The pilot was advised by ATC that the weather at his intended destination had deteriorated, and provided vectors to a suggested diversionary airport. The pilot turned the airplane to the suggested heading, but continued to descend to maintain VFR. The pilot determined that visual flight could not be continued, and selected a field for a precautionary landing. The airplane subsequently landed hard in muddy terrain, which fractured the empennage and resulted in substantial damage to the right wing. The pilot held a private pilot certificate with a rating for airplane single-engine land. He did not hold an instrument rating. His most recent Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) third class medical certificate was issued February 2013. The pilot reported 150 total hours of flight experience, of which all 150 hours were in the accident airplane make and model. The airplane was manufactured in 1975 and its most recent annual inspection was completed on April 4, 2013, at 2,702 total aircraft hours. The weather reported at McKellar-Sipes Regional Airport (MKL), Jackson, Tennessee, 13 miles north of the accident site, included an overcast ceiling at 1,300 feet with 3 miles visibility in fog. The airplane was recovered from the scene and moved to a recovery facility in Springfield, Tennessee, where postaccident examination was conducted under the supervision of an FAA inspector. The examination revealed there were no preimpact mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot seat remained partially attached to its seat tracks with the adjustment pins engaged. The copilot seat was separated from its tracks, and the seat leg "ears" were either splayed open or fractured due to overstress. The seat rails and tracks for both front pilot and copilot seats were inspected for wear in accordance with FAA AirworthinessDirective (AD) Note 11-10-09. Examination and measurement of the dimensions of the seat rails and tracks revealed that they were worn, but did not exceed the allowable tolerances specified in the AD. According to the passenger, she unfastened her seat belt and shoulder harness during the flight to "retrieve a fallen article on the floor of the cockpit." She did not recall if she refastened the seatbelt and shoulder harness. Under the "RECOMMENDATION (How could this accident have been prevented?)" section of the NTSB accident report form, the pilot/owner offered the following: 1. More emphasis was needed on the changing nature of weather conditions, especially on longer leg lengths. 2. The pilot also could have better monitored passenger seatbelt use, especially in low light conditions. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N194EX](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N194EX-2018-03-21), registration cancelled 2018-03-21, S/N 17266200, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172M (M) - 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: 17266200 - Year built: 1975 - Airframe hours: 2702 - Engines: LYCOMING 0-320 SERIES 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Billy J. Lyons - Registered owner: Lyons Hro Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 4, 2013, 50 hours before - Departed: SGF, Springfield, MO - Destination: MSL, Muscle Shoals, AL - Flight plan: VFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 50; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 150 total, 150 in this make and model, 100 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark - Wind: 310° at 12 knots, gusting 20 - Visibility: 3 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 1,300 ft overcast - Temperature: 43 °F, dew point 39 °F - Altimeter: 29.77 inHg - Observed at: MKL, 13 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 20140214001829A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140214001829A), Feb 14, 2014: Cessna 172M, Pinson, TN, Destroyed. At 1605 local time, aircraft N194EX departed on a VFR flight intended for kmsl. During the flight, weather conditions worsened and the aircraft had to descend… ## Docket (10 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 30, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=88802. 6.0 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 271 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40424188&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Most Recent Annual Inspection and AD Compliance (item 2, .PDF, 176 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40424189&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Most%20Recent%20Annual%20Inspection%20and%20AD%20Compliance-Redacted.PDF - Airplane Ground Track (Flightaware) (item 3, .PDF, 553 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40424190&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Airplane%20Ground%20Track%20(Flightaware)-Master.PDF - Weather METAR and Radar Summary (item 4, .PDF, 462 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40424191&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20METAR%20and%20Radar%20Summary-Master.PDF - Statement of Party Representative (item 5, .PDF, 230 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40424192&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Statement%20of%20Party%20Representative-Redacted.PDF - Photo 1 - Copilot Left Front Seat Leg (Courtesy of AMF Aviation) (item 6, .PDF, 33 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40424193&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20-%20Copilot%20Left%20Front%20Seat%20Leg%20(Courtesy%20of%20AMF%20Aviation)-Master.PDF - Photo 2 - Copilot Right Front Seat Leg (Courtesy of AMF Aviation) (item 7, .PDF, 32 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40424194&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%20-%20Copilot%20Right%20Front%20Seat%20Leg%20(Courtesy%20of%20AMF%20Aviation)-Master.PDF - Photo 3 - Copilot Left Rear Seat Leg (Courtesy of AMF Aviation) (item 8, .PDF, 33 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40424195&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%203%20-%20Copilot%20Left%20Rear%20Seat%20Leg%20(Courtesy%20of%20AMF%20Aviation)-Master.PDF - Photo 4 - Copilot Right Rear Seat Leg (Courtesy of AMF Aviation) (item 9, .PDF, 24 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40424196&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%204%20-%20Copilot%20Right%20Rear%20Seat%20Leg%20(Courtesy%20of%20AMF%20Aviation)-Master.PDF - Photo 5 - Main Wreckage as Found (Courtesy of FAA) (item 10, .PDF, 4.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40424197&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%205%20-%20Main%20Wreckage%20as%20Found%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.