# NTSB GAA16CA157: Cessna 172, N118ET, Nashville, TN, March 20, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: March 20, 2016, 14:00 local (19:00 UTC) - Place: Nashville, TN - Coordinates: 36.183334, -86.886665 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.1833&lon=-86.8867&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR go-around: Tailstrike](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/091) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 4 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 3, 2016 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: Nashville FSDO (FAA) - NTSB case key (mKey): 92882 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA16CA157 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/92882/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92882 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA157 ## Probable cause The pilot's excessive pitch up and incorrect action of selecting flaps to zero degrees, which resulted in a tail strike during a go-around in crosswind conditions. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Wing structure: trailing edge flaps](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035753): Aircraft › Aircraft structures · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172R, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035753/cases.md?model=2072401), [All aircraft, 33 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035753/cases.md) - [Action: incorrect action selection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172R, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010/cases.md?model=2072401), [All aircraft, 397 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: pitch control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Capability exceeded (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172R, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022/cases.md?model=2072401), [All aircraft, 526 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: climb rate](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062035): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained; cases with it: [Cessna 172R, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062035/cases.md?model=2072401), [All aircraft, 265 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062035/cases.md) - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Ability to respond/compensate; cases with it: [Cessna 172R, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=2072401), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Cessna 172R, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=2072401), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR go-around: Loss of lift](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500); cases with it: [Cessna 172R, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500/sequence.md?model=2072401), [All aircraft, 252 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR go-around: Tailstrike](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/091) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172R, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/091/sequence.md?model=2072401), [All aircraft, 124 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/091/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that during landing in crosswind conditions, the airplane began to drift to the right over the runway lights in the landing flare. The pilot further reported that he determined "it was not safe to land" and applied full power to go-around and subsequently retracted the flaps from 30 degrees to zero degrees. During the go-around, he reported that the airplane was unable to gain airspeed or altitude and touched down in the grass next to the runway and aborted the go-around. Subsequently, the pilot taxied back onto the runway and proceeded to the ramp. A postaccident examination revealed substantial damage to elevator and rudder. The pilot reported that "he did not realize the angle of attack was severe enough" to cause a tail strike during the go-around. The Cessna 172R (180 HP) Pilot's Operating Handbook in part states: "In a balked landing (go-around) climb, reduce the flap setting to 20 degrees immediately after full power is applied. If obstacles must be cleared during the go-around climb, reduce the wing flap setting to 10 degrees and maintain a safe airspeed until the obstacles are cleared." The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that during landing in crosswind conditions, the airplane began to drift to the right over the runway lights in the landing flare. The pilot further reported that he determined "it was not safe to land" and applied full power to go-around and subsequently retracted the flaps from 30 degrees to zero degrees. During the go-around, he reported that the airplane was unable to gain airspeed or altitude and touched down in the grass next to the runway and aborted the go-around. Subsequently, the pilot taxied back onto the runway and proceeded to the ramp. A postaccident examination revealed substantial damage to elevator and rudder. The pilot reported that "he did not realize the angle of attack was severe enough" to cause a tail strike during the go-around. The Cessna 172R (180 HP) Pilot's Operating Handbook in part states: "In a balked landing (go-around) climb, reduce the flap setting to 20 degrees immediately after full power is applied. If obstacles must be cleared during the go-around climb, reduce the wing flap setting to 10 degrees and maintain a safe airspeed until the obstacles are cleared." The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N118ET](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N118ET), registered now, S/N 17280019, built 1997 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172 (R) - Registry model: [Cessna 172R](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172r) (registry code 2072401) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17280019 - Year built: 1997 - Airframe hours: 2012.5 - Engines: Lycoming IO-360-L2A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 4, 2016 - Departed: JWN, Nashville, TN - Destination: JWN, Nashville, TN - Airport: JWN, John C Tune, runway 02, 6,001 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 32; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review November 3, 2015; seat: left; restraint: none; flight hours: 59.2 total, 59.2 in this make and model, 18 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 270° at 14 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft broken - Temperature: 43 °F, dew point 21 °F - Altimeter: 30.10 inHg - Turbulence: Moderate - Observed at: KJWN ## 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 20160320002299A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160320002299A), Mar 20, 2016: Cessna 172R, Nashville, TN, Substantial damage. The pilot was attempting to land with a crosswind of approximately 14 knots from the left. During the flare, the aircraft drifted to the right of the… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 27, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92882. 2.1 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1000 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40439362&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Record of Conversation (FAA Inspector) (item 2, .PDF, 52 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40439363&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20(FAA%20Inspector)-Master.PDF - Pilot's Operating Handbook Normal Procedures Balked Landing (item 3, .PDF, 95 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40439364&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%27s%20Operating%20Handbook%20Normal%20Procedures%20Balked%20Landing-Master.PDF - Accident Photos (Courtesy of FAA) (item 4, .PDF, 2 photos, 1.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40439365&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photos%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.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.