# NTSB FTW88LA087: Cessna 172E, N8775U, Leona, TX, April 3, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 3, 1988, 14:20 local (19:20 UTC)
- Place: Leona, TX
- Coordinates: 31.149108, -95.970039 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.1491&lon=-95.9700&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report December 3, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22629
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW88LA087
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22629/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW88LA087

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - in flight, go-around (vfr)
  - airspeed - excessive, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - go-around - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
  - carburetor heat - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, go-around (vfr)
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

THE PLT PLANNED HIS APCH TO LAND ABOUT 1000 FT DOWN THE 3400 FT DIRT RWY BECAUSE THE FIRST 1000 FT WAS WET AND SOFT. THE LAST 400 FT WAS ALSO WET AND SOFT. THE WIND WAS CALM AND THE APCH SPEED WAS HIGH. DURING THE FLARE, THE ACFT BALLOONED AND FLOATED PAST THE INTENDED TOUCHDOWN PT. THE PLT THEN DECIDED THE ACFT WAS TOO FAR DOWN THE RWY FOR A SAFE LANDING AND EXECUTED A GO-AROUND. HE HAD EXTENDED THE FLAPS TO MORE THAN 30 DEG AND ON THIS ACFT THE FLAP SWITCH IS SPRING LOADED TO THE OFF POSITION. HE ALSO USED CARB HEAT DURING THE APCH AND DID NOT TURN IT OFF DURING THE GO-AROUND. THE ACFT ACCELERATED SLOWLY AND WHEN THE NOSE WAS RAISED TO CLEAR 50 FT TREES OFF THE END OF THE PRIVATE STRIP, THE ACFT MUSHED INTO THE TREES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8775U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8775U-2013-05-15), registration cancelled 2013-05-15, S/N 17252679, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172E
- Registry model: [Cessna 172F](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172f) (registry code 2072414) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17252679
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300-D 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Tom G. Holmes
- Registered owner: Holmes, Tom G.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 24, 1987
- Departed: GLS, GALVESTON, TX
- Destination: NONE
- Airport: NONE, runway 18, 3,400 ×  ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 185 total, 155 in this make and model, 126 as pilot in command, 50 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: CLL, 40 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 19880403069819A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880403069819A), Apr 3, 1988: Cessna 172F, Leona, TX, Substantial damage. Too high and fast on short strip. Tried to go around. Crashed into trees at end of runway. Carb heat still on.

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.

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