# NTSB GAA17CA156: Cessna 120, N77116, Orange, MA, February 24, 2017

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: February 24, 2017, 15:20 local (20:20 UTC)
- Place: Orange, MA
- Coordinates: 42.571666, -72.289443 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.5717&lon=-72.2894&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 10, 2017
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 94778
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA156
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/94778/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94778
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA156

## Probable cause

The pilot’s selection of unsuitable terrain for landing, which resulted in a nose-over.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Landing gear system: wheel/ski/float](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023246): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Capability exceeded (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 120, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023246/cases.md?model=2071402), [All aircraft, 48 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023246/cases.md)
- [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 120, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=2071402), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md)
- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 120, 22 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2071402), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [Terrain: wet/muddy terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021035): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Decision related to condition (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 120, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021035/cases.md?model=2071402), [All aircraft, 110 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021035/cases.md)
- [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: soft surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Decision related to condition (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 120, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020/cases.md?model=2071402), [All aircraft, 264 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020/cases.md)
- [Terrain: wet/muddy terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021035): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Cessna 120, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021035/cases.md?model=2071402), [All aircraft, 110 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021035/cases.md)
- [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: soft surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Cessna 120, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020/cases.md?model=2071402), [All aircraft, 264 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 120, 19 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2071402), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md)
- [Landing: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Cessna 120, 20 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=2071402), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, while attempting to land on the "grass portion of the runway" parallel to the paved runway, the ground was soft. Subsequently, the main wheels sunk into the ground, and the airplane nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to its right-wing lift strut and vertical stabilizer. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Factual narrative

The pilot of the tailwheel equipped airplane reported that while attempting to land on the "grass portion of the runway", parallel to the paved runway, the ground was soft. Subsequently, the main wheels sunk into the ground and the airplane nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to its right-wing lift strut and vertical stabilizer. The pilot reported that there were no pre-accident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N77116](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N77116), registered now, S/N 11574, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 120 (NO SERIES)
- Registry model: [Cessna 120](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-120) (registry code 2071402) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 11574
- Year built: 1946
- Airframe hours: 5466
- Engines: CONT MOTOR O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 1, 2016
- Departed: 0B5, MONTAGUE, MA
- Destination: ORE, Orange, MA
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: ORE, Orange Muni, runway 19, 4,999 × 75 ft, grass/turf
- Equipment: ADS-B

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 68; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review December 21, 2016; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 1,700 total, 140 in this make and model, 1,700 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 170° at 10 knots, gusting 21
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 50 °F
- Altimeter: 29.82 inHg
- Observed at: KORE

## 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 20170224005459A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170224005459A), Feb 24, 2017: Cessna 120, Orange, MA, Substantial damage. On 2/24/2017, at 1500 local, aircraft N77116 landed on the grass area parallel to runway 19 at Orange Municipal Airport, MA. The grass area was soft, the…

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 28, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94778. 938 KB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 253 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40458602&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF
- Accident Photo (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 685 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40450337&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo%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.

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