# NTSB FTW01LA106: Cessna 172G, N3860L, N. Little Rock, AR, April 26, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 25, 2001, 22:20 local (Apr 26, 2001, 03:20 UTC) - Place: N. Little Rock, AR - Coordinates: 34.760154, -92.260452 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.7602&lon=-92.2605&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 30, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 52141 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW01LA106 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/52141/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW01LA106 ## Probable cause the pilot's delayed go-around on landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, landing - flare/touchdown - descent - excessive, pilot in command - go-around - delayed, pilot in command (cause) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command - On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll - object - tree(s) ## Analysis The single-engine airplane was on final approach, and the pilot "flared too high" and experienced a high sink rate. The pilot applied power; however, it was "too late and the airplane impacted the runway hard and bounced." The airplane landed on the runway, veered off of the runway, and impacted trees. The pilot stated that he could have prevented the accident by "initiat[ing a] go-around sooner." ## Factual narrative On April 25, 2001, at 2220 central daylight time, a Cessna 172G single-engine airplane, N3860L, was substantially damaged when it impacted trees following a loss of control on landing at the North Little Rock Municipal Airport, North Little Rock, Arkansas. The private pilot and his two passengers were not injured. The airplane was registered to a private individual. Bright night visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The cross-country flight originated from Crossett, Arkansas, approximately 2100. According to the FAA inspector, who responded to the accident site and spoke with the pilot, the airplane was on final approach, and the pilot "flared too high" and experienced a high sink rate. The pilot applied power; however, it was "too late and the airplane impacted the runway hard and bounced." The airplane landed on the runway, veered off of the runway, and impacted trees. The FAA inspector stated that the wings, lift struts, and landing gear sustained structural damage. In the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2), under the section titled "Recommendations (How Could This Accident Have Been Prevented)," the pilot wrote "initiate go-around sooner." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3860L](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3860L), registered now, S/N 17254029, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172G - Registry model: [Cessna 172G](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172g) (registry code 2072420) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17254029 - Engines: Continental O-300-D 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: James A. Walker - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: CRT, Crossett, AR - Destination: 1M1, N. Little Rock, AR - Airport: 1M1, North Little Rock Municipal, runway 23, 4,462 × 75 ft, concrete ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 55; injuries: none; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review November 2, 2000; seat: left; flight hours: 279 total, 207 in this make and model, 221 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/bright - Wind: 0° at 0 knots - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F ## 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 20010426007279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010426007279A), Apr 26, 2001: Cessna 172, North Little Ro, AR, No damage. (-23)During landing the pilot flared too high and experienced a high sink rate. The pilot power in an unsuccessful attempt to make a go-around. The aircraft… ## Other investigations on N3860L (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 FTW78FPD04](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW78FPD04), Nov 3, 1977: Cessna 172 (N3860L), Jacksboro, TX, substantial damage 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.