GAA16CA403

NTSB accident investigation · Cessna 172 · Rexburg, ID · July 28, 2016

Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal report
Date
July 28, 2016, 17:30 local (23:30 UTC)
Place
Rexburg, ID
Injuries
1 uninjured
Damage
Substantial damage
Phase of flight
Takeoff
Aircraft
N3677SCessna 172
Defining event
Takeoff: Collision during takeoff/land
Weather
Visual (VMC) · Day
Status
Completed · report December 5, 2016
Report
Approved by Office Director
NTSB office
General Aviation Accidents
Parties
FAA
FAA report
20160728011709A
Case key
93724

From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.

On this page

Probable cause

The student pilot's failure to retract the flaps during a go-around in high density altitude conditions, resulting in the airplane's inability to climb and a subsequent collision with terrain and nose over.

Findings · 5

NTSB’s coded findings. Those marked are part of the probable cause; the rest are factors or other findings. Under each, the cases with the same finding.

Performance/control parameters: descent rateAircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintainedCessna 172E: 1 caseAll aircraft: 242 casesProbable cause
Use of equip/info: aircraft controlPersonnel issues › Task performance · Student/instructed pilotCessna 172E: 8 casesAll aircraft: 9,295 casesProbable cause
Use of equip/info: use of checklistPersonnel issues › Task performance · Student/instructed pilotCessna 172E: 2 casesAll aircraft: 336 casesProbable cause
Action: forgotten action/omissionPersonnel issues › Action/decision · Student/instructed pilotCessna 172E: 1 caseAll aircraft: 440 casesProbable cause
Temp/humidity/pressure: high density altitudeEnvironmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on equipmentCessna 172E: 3 casesAll aircraft: 278 cases

Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event is the one that best describes the accident. Under each, the cases with the same event anywhere in their sequence.

Analysis

The student pilot reported that while practicing short-field landings on runway 17, a 4,200 foot asphalt runway, he overshot his intended landing area. He reported that about 65 knots indicated air speed and 25 feet above ground level (AGL), he executed a go-around by applying mixture rich, full throttle, carburetor heat cold, but the electric flaps were left fully extended. He reported that he pulled back on the yoke, but he could not get the airplane to climb, and the airplane descended to the right side of the runway, and touched down in the safety area to the right of the runway and nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings, vertical stabilizer and the rudder. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies with any portion of the airplane during the flight that would have prevented normal flight operations. Photographs of the accident airplane provided by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) showed the airplane inverted with the flaps extended. The airplane manufacturer pilot operating handbook prescribed Balked Landing procedure states: 1. Throttle – Full Open 2. Carburetor Heat – Cold 3. Wing Flaps - 20 Degrees (Immediately) 4. Climb Speed – 55 Knots 5. Wing Flaps 10 Degrees (Until obstacles are cleared) Retract (after reaching a safe altitude and 60 KIAS) The meteorological aerodrome report at accident airport about the time of the accident indicated: The temperature was 90 degrees Fahrenheit, dew point was 37 degrees Fahrenheit, the wind was out of 170 degrees true at 7 knots and varying between 140 degrees and 200 degrees true. The altimeter setting was 30.10. The field elevation at the airport was 4,858 feet and the density altitude was 7,850 feet. According to the FAA Pamphlet 8740-2 pertaining to Density Altitude: Whether due to high altitude, high temperature, or both, reduced air density (reported in terms of density altitude) adversely affects aerodynamic performance and decreases the engine's horsepower output. Takeoff distance, power available (in normally aspirated engines), and climb rate are all adversely affected. Landing distance is affected as well; although the indicated airspeed (IAS) remains the same, the true airspeed (TAS) increases. From the pilot's point of view, therefore, an increase in density altitude results in the following: • Increased takeoff distance. • Reduced rate of climb. • Increased TAS (but same IAS) on approach and landing. According to the aforementioned FAA Pamphlet, the Koch Chart (chart in docket) depicting the relationship between airport temperature (90 degrees) and airport pressure altitude (4,693 feet), the climb rate decreases by 64 percent. The pilot initiated the balked landing procedure at 25 feet AGL.

Factual narrative

The student pilot reported that while practicing short-field landings on runway 17, a 4,200 foot asphalt runway, he overshot his intended landing area. He reported that about 65 knots indicated air speed and 25 feet above ground level (AGL), he executed a go-around by applying mixture rich, full throttle, carburetor heat cold, but the electric flaps were left fully extended. He reported that he pulled back on the yoke, but he could not get the airplane to climb, and the airplane descended to the right side of the runway, and touched down in the safety area to the right of the runway and nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings, vertical stabilizer and the rudder. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies with any portion of the airplane during the flight that would have prevented normal flight operations. Photographs of the accident airplane provided by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) showed the airplane inverted with the flaps extended. The airplane manufacturer pilot operating handbook prescribed Balked Landing procedure states: 1. Throttle – Full Open 2. Carburetor Heat – Cold 3. Wing Flaps - 20 Degrees (Immediately) 4. Climb Speed – 55 Knots 5. Wing Flaps 10 Degrees (Until obstacles are cleared) Retract (after reaching a safe altitude and 60 KIAS) The meteorological aerodrome report at accident airport about the time of the accident indicated: The temperature was 90 degrees Fahrenheit, dew point was 37 degrees Fahrenheit, the wind was out of 170 degrees true at 7 knots and varying between 140 degrees and 200 degrees true. The altimeter setting was 30.10. The field elevation at the airport was 4,858 feet and the density altitude was 7,850 feet. According to the FAA Pamphlet 8740-2 pertaining to Density Altitude: Whether due to high altitude, high temperature, or both, reduced air density (reported in terms of density altitude) adversely affects aerodynamic performance and decreases the engine's horsepower output. Takeoff distance, power available (in normally aspirated engines), and climb rate are all adversely affected. Landing distance is affected as well; although the indicated airspeed (IAS) remains the same, the true airspeed (TAS) increases. From the pilot's point of view, therefore, an increase in density altitude results in the following: • Increased takeoff distance. • Reduced rate of climb. • Increased TAS (but same IAS) on approach and landing. According to the aforementioned FAA Pamphlet, the Koch Chart (chart in docket) depicting the relationship between airport temperature (90 degrees) and airport pressure altitude (4,693 feet), the climb rate decreases by 64 percent. The pilot initiated the balked landing procedure at 25 feet AGL.

Aircraft

Registration
N3677S
Reported as
Cessna 172 (E)
Category
Airplane
Serial number
17250877
Built
1964
Engine
Cont Motor 0-300, 145 horsepower, reciprocating
Damage
Substantial damage
Flight
Instructional · Part 91
Airworthiness certificate
Standard, Normal
Departed
RXE · Rexburg, ID
Destination
RXE · Rexburg, ID
Airport
RXE · Rexburg-Madison County, runway 17, 4,204 × 75 ft, asphalt
Equipment
None

Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

Role
Pilot
Age
67
Injuries
None
Certificate
Student
Medical
Class 2, Without waivers/limitations
Seat
Left
Restraint
Lap only
Flight hours
180 total · 70 in this make and model

Weather

Conditions
Visual (VMC) · Day
Wind
170° at 7 knots
Visibility
10 statute miles
Lowest ceiling
None
Temperature
90 °F, dew point 37 °F
Altimeter
30.10 inHg
Observed at
KRXE

Docket · 5

The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 3, 2016, on NTSB’s docket system: statements, records, photos and specialists’ reports. 1.3 MB in all.

FAA reports on this event · 1

The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.