# NTSB GAA18CA280: Cessna 172, N4144L, Nooksack, WA, May 14, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 14, 2018, 15:55 local (22:55 UTC) - Place: Nooksack, WA - Coordinates: 48.883335, -122.283607 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.8833&lon=-122.2836&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Landing area overshoot](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/380) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report October 24, 2018 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 97255 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA280 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/97255/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97255 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA280 ## Probable cause The pilot’s improper approach in tailwind conditions, which resulted in long landing and subsequent runway overrun. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: descent/approach/glide path](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172G, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md?model=2072420), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/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 172G, 16 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072420), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Wind: tailwind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Cessna 172G, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md?model=2072420), [All aircraft, 594 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: pole](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022010): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Cessna 172G, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022010/cases.md?model=2072420), [All aircraft, 142 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022010/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Cessna 172G, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=2072420), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) - [Landing: Landing area overshoot](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/380) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172G, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/380/sequence.md?model=2072420), [All aircraft, 400 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/380/sequence.md) - [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 172G, 21 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2072420), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, after three attempts to land the airplane at the one-way, private grass airstrip, the wind had become a tailwind. During the fourth approach, the wind was "apparently stabilized," but once he committed to land, the wind increased and became a hazard. He added that the airplane was then "too low to abort," and the airplane landed long. Subsequently, the airplane was unable to stop, overran the runway, and impacted a power pole. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, empennage, and both wings. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The automated weather observation system about 9 nautical miles away from the accident site reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 220° at 5 knots. The pilot landed the airplane to the east. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that, after three attempts to land the airplane at the one-way, private grass airstrip, the wind had become a tailwind. During the fourth approach, the wind was "apparently stabilized", but once he committed to land the wind increased and became a hazard. He added that the airplane was then "too low to abort" and the airplane landed long. Subsequently, the airplane was unable to stop, overran the runway, and impacted a power pole. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, empennage, and both wings. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The automated weather observation system about 9 nautical miles away from the accident site reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 220° at 5 knots. The pilot landed to the east. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4144L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4144L-2018-06-27), registration cancelled 2018-06-27, S/N 17254213, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172 (G) - Registry model: [Cessna 172G](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172g) (registry code 2072420) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17254213 - Year built: 1966 - Airframe hours: 6343.75 - Engines: CONT MOTOR O-300A 125 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility - Last inspection: Annual, May 7, 2018 - Departed: BVS, Burlington/Mount Vernon, WA - Destination: Nooksack, WA - Equipment: Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 68; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review October 11, 2017; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 331.2 total, 78.6 in this make and model, 245.3 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 220° at 5 knots - Visibility: 30 statute miles - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 29.87 inHg - Observed at: CYXX, 9 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 20180514014999A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180514014999A), May 14, 2018: Cessna 172G, Nooksack, WA, Substantial damage. PIC made several attempts to land on his Private Strip next to his residence. On the final attempt, he was too low to clear the trees at the east end of the… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 2, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97255. 1.0 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 836 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40465583&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Picture (item 2, .PDF, 214 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40465584&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Picture-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.