# NTSB ERA20LA336: Cessna 172, N5439E, La Grange, NC, September 23, 2020 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: September 23, 2020, 19:30 local (23:30 UTC) - Place: La Grange, NC - Coordinates: 35.3068, -77.788 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.3068&lon=-77.7880&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern final: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 102044 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA20LA336 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/102044/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=102044 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA20LA336 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during final approach, which resulted in a collision with trees. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [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) - [Performance/control parameters: lateral/bank control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023/cases.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 390 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 45 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Landing: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490); cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 18 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot stated that during short final approach to his private airstrip, a gust of wind blew his airplane left into trees, where it came to rest. The pilot added that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. Examination of the wreckage revealed substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. The wind was recorded as calm at an airport approximately 8 miles from the accident site, about 24 minutes after the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5439E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5439E-2022-11-05), registration cancelled 2022-11-05, S/N 17271867 (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: 1721867 - Year built: 1978 - Airframe hours: 1974 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-H 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 11, 2019, 20 hours before - Departed: GWW, Goldsboro, NC - Destination: Same as departure - Airport: PVT, Private, runway 23, 1,800 × 60 ft, grass/turf - Equipment: Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 75; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review April 4, 2020; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 600 total, 400 in this make and model, 4 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 59 °F - Altimeter: 30.04 inHg - Observed at: ISO, 8 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 20200923016639A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20200923016639A), Sep 23, 2020: Cessna 172N, Lagrange, NC, Substantial damage. PIC departed home grass airstrip to get fuel tanks filled at goldsboro airport approximately 10 minute flight. On return trip about 6:55 pm on 9.23.2020;… ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 15, 2021, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=102044. 2.0 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 7 pages, 1.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11828728&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Interview summary (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 115 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11829201&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Interview%20Summary-Rel.pdf - FAA inspector statement (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 145 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11829171&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%20Statement_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Weather report (item 4, PDF, 1 page, 40 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11828832&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Metars-Rel.pdf - Photo array (item 5, PDF, 1 page, 486 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11828738&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Array-Rel.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.