# NTSB ERA21LA202: Cessna 172S, N1089D, Martinsville, VA, May 2, 2021 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: May 2, 2021, 16:38 local (20:38 UTC) - Place: Martinsville, VA - Coordinates: 36.631359, -80.018125 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.6314&lon=-80.0181&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-IFR missed approach: Tailstrike](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/091) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - 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): 103014 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA21LA202 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/103014/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=103014 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21LA202 ## Probable cause The pilot’s improper pitch control during a go-around in gusting crosswind conditions, which resulted in a tail strike and a runway excursion. ## 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 172S, 206 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072439), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: pitch control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172S, 26 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022/cases.md?model=2072439), [All aircraft, 526 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach-IFR missed approach: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240); cases with it: [Cessna 172S, 49 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=2072439), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Approach-IFR missed approach: Tailstrike](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/091) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172S, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/091/sequence.md?model=2072439), [All aircraft, 124 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/091/sequence.md) - [Approach-IFR missed approach: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 172S, 118 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2072439), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that during a visual approach to land in gusting crosswind conditions, while on “short final”, the airplane was high and full flaps were added. The airplane continued to be “high and slow on the round out” so he initiated a go-around maneuver. During the go-around, the pilot applied full power, however the airplane continued to sink and slow which resulted in a tail strike and runway excursion to the left off the runway into the grass. The fuselage and engine mount sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1089D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1089D), registered now, S/N 172S10269, built 2006 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172S (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [Cessna 172S](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172s) (registry code 2072439) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-360-L2A](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-360-l2a) (registry code 41597, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 172S10269 - Year built: 2006 - Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-L2A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Heavy Metal Air LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility - Departed: AKH, Gastonia, NC - Destination: Same as departure - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: MTV, Blue Ridge, runway 13/31, 5,002 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Stall warning system, ADS-B, Auto-pilot, Electronic multifunction display, Electronic primary flight display ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 22; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review February 23, 2021; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 185 total, 25 in this make and model, 99 as pilot in command, 33 in the last 90 days, 21 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 200° at 11 knots, gusting 19 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 50 °F - Altimeter: 29.92 inHg - Observed at: MTV - METAR: KMTV 022055Z AUTO 20011G19KT 180V240 10SM CLR 26/10 A2992 RMK AO2 T02630104 ## 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 20210502005289A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20210502005289A), May 2, 2021: Cessna 172S, Martinsville, VA, Substantial damage. Pilot stated while on final approach for runway 31 at the Blue Ridge Airport (kmtv), he realized the aircraft was at too high of an altitude by observing all… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 24, 2021, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=103014. 6.4 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 2.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12523913&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB%20Accident%20Report%20Form%206120.1_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photo array (item 2, PDF, 3 pages, 3 photos, 4.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12523880&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.