# NTSB ERA17CA250: Cessna 172, N4876F, Factoryville, PA, July 20, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 19, 2017, 20:27 local (Jul 20, 2017, 00:27 UTC) - Place: Factoryville, PA - Coordinates: 41.589443, -75.756111 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.5894&lon=-75.7561&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 31, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 95617 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA17CA250 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/95617/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95617 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA17CA250 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to attain the proper touchdown point, which resulted in a runway overrun. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: descent/approach/glide path](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 16 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/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 172N, 150 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022000/cases.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 224 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022000/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: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 81 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=2072434), [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 172N, 134 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The private pilot reported that he had recently returned to flying after a lengthy period of inactivity and that this was his first solo flight after completing a comprehensive flight review. According to the pilot, after completing the traffic pattern, he landed the airplane at the midpoint of the 2,400-ft-long runway with 10 knots of excess airspeed and a slight tailwind. Despite maximum braking, the airplane overran the departure end of the runway and struck dense brush, which resulted in substantial damage to the engine firewall. The pilot further reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The private pilot reported that he had recently returned to flying after a lengthy period of inactivity, and this was his first solo flight after completing a comprehensive flight review. According to the pilot, after completing the traffic pattern, he landed the airplane at the midpoint of the 2,400-foot runway with 10 knots of excess airspeed and a slight tailwind. Despite maximum braking, the airplane overran the departure end of the runway and struck dense brush, which resulted in substantial damage to the engine firewall. The pilot further reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4876F](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4876F), registered now, S/N 17273094, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172 (N) - Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17273094 - Year built: 1979 - Airframe hours: 15424 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320 SERIES 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 20, 2017, 70 hours before - Departed: 9N3, Factoryville, PA - Destination: 9N3, Factoryville, PA - Airport: 9N3, Factoryville-Seamans, runway 04, 2,500 × 50 ft, asphalt - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 50; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 435 total, 8 in this make and model, 371 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 68 °F - Altimeter: 30.03 inHg - Observed at: KAV, 15 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 20170719018609A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170719018609A), Jul 19, 2017: Cessna 172N, Factoryville, PA, Substantial damage. The pilot stated that he landed down wind and should have performed a go around. The aircraft did not have full flaps deployed. The aircraft landed with… ## Other investigations on N4876F (1) 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. - [NTSB BFO95LA069](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO95LA069), Jun 20, 1995: Cessna 172N (N4876F), Factoryville, PA, substantial damage. Probable cause: the loss of engine power for undetermined reasons, and the subsequent hard landing by the student pilot. ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 25, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95617. 1.2 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 756 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40456589&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Pilot's Interview Summary (item 2, .PDF, 125 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40456590&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%27s%20Interview%20Summary-Master.PDF - Photos (Courtesy of Pilot) (item 3, .PDF, 2 photos, 288 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40456591&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photos%20(Courtesy%20of%20Pilot)-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.