# NTSB GAA17CA530: Cessna 172, N54463, Plainville, CT, September 11, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 11, 2017, 11:25 local (15:25 UTC) - Place: Plainville, CT - Coordinates: 41.688888, -72.867225 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.6889&lon=-72.8672&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR go-around: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report April 23, 2018 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 95989 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA530 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/95989/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95989 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA530 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to properly execute the go-around, which resulted in the airplane failing to maintain a climb, which resulted in collision with a tree. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172P, 76 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072436), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172P, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md?model=2072436), [All aircraft, 1,269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Cessna 172P, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=2072436), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach-VFR go-around: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172P, 16 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=2072436), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR go-around: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 172P, 45 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2072436), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, during touchdown, the airplane bounced, and he chose to go around. He applied full power, set the carburetor heat to cold, and began incrementally retracting the flaps. The airplane drifted left of the runway centerline toward a parking lot but was not gaining sufficient altitude. The pilot started looking for a spot to execute a forced landing when the airplane impacted a tree. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed substantial damage to both wings and the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that during touchdown the airplane bounced, and he chose to go-around. He applied full power, set the carburetor heat to cold, and began incrementally retracting the flaps. The airplane drifted left of the runway centerline, towards a parking lot, but was not gaining altitude. The pilot started looking for a spot to execute a forced landing when the airplane impacted a tree and collided with the ground. A postaccident exam of the airplane revealed substantial damage to both wings and the fuselage. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N54463](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N54463-2018-03-13), registration cancelled 2018-03-13, S/N 17274979, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172 (P) - Registry model: [Cessna 172P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172p) (registry code 2072436) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17274979 - Year built: 1981 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Interstate Aviation Inc. - Registered owner: Interstate Aviation Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: BAF, WESTFIELD/SPRINGFIELD, MA - Destination: 4B8, Plainville, CT - Airport: 4B8, Robertson Field, runway 02, 3,665 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 79; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review July 19, 2016; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 670 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 10° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 30.28 inHg - Observed at: KHFD, 10 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 20170911019249A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170911019249A), Sep 11, 2017: Cessna 172P, Plainville, CT, Substantial damage. N54463, a 1981 Cessna 172P, s/n 17274979, owned by interstate aviation, Plainville/Robertson airport CT, was being operated by private pilot [privacy data… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 15, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95989. 2.8 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40460872&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 596 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40460873&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. --- 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.