# NTSB ERA21LA050: Cessna 172, N6203F, Cynthiana, KY, November 19, 2020 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: November 19, 2020, 18:44 local (23:44 UTC) - Place: Cynthiana, KY · Approach to runway 11 - Coordinates: 38.366164, -84.283344 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.3662&lon=-84.2833&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern final: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 3 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): 102325 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA21LA050 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/102325/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=102325 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21LA050 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain proper glide path during a visual approach that was conducted at night, resulting in a collision with trees and terrain. ## 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) - [Light condition: dark](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036020): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036020/cases.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 448 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036020/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 172N, 41 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/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: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event); 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 was approaching the destination airport for landing at night. On short final approach to the runway, he observed he was slightly low via the precision approach path indicator (PAPI) lights. Due to a 20-knot crosswind, the pilot was attempting to maintain runway centerline and entered an inadvertent slip, subsequently losing 20ft of altitude. As he looked up, he saw all red on the PAPI lights and reached to the throttle to reacquire the glideslope. He then observed the treetops in front of the propeller and the airplane contacted the trees. The airplane subsequently the ground and came to a stop. The airplane’s fuselage, both wings, and empennage were substantially damaged. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures of the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6203F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6203F-2021-07-21), registration cancelled 2021-07-21, S/N 17273164, 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: 17273164 - Year built: 1979 - Airframe hours: 3179 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Lexington Flying Club Inc - Registered owner: Lexington Flying Club Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, November 18, 2020, 4 hours before - Departed: FFT, Frankfort, KY - Destination: Same as departure - Airport: 0I8, Cynthiana-Harrison County Airport, runway 11, 3,850 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Stall warning system, ADS-B, Angle of attack indicator, Auto-pilot ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 64; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: basicmed, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 11, 2019; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 428 total, 131 in this make and model, 428 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night - Wind: 200° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 30 °F - Altimeter: 30.35 inHg - Observed at: KIOB, 23 nm away - METAR: KIOB 192335Z AUTO 20010KT 10SM CLR 13/M01 A3035 RMK AO2 ## 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 20201119014709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20201119014709A), Nov 19, 2020: Cessna 172N, Cynthiana, KY, Substantial damage. According to pilot's statement, on November, 19, 2020, pilot in command (PIC) flew from blue grass airport (lex) to georgetown-scott county regional airport… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 17, 2021, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=102325. 6.0 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 3.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11813903&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Pilot written statement (item 2, PDF, 2 pages, 1.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11813754&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Pilot%20Written%20Statement-Rel.pdf - FAA inspector statement (item 3, PDF, 4 pages, 416 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11813829&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%20Statement_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photo array (item 4, PDF, 4 pages, 1.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11813634&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.