# NTSB GAA19CA401: Cessna 172, N677DM, Vineyard Haven, MA, July 11, 2019 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 10, 2019, 21:54 local (Jul 11, 2019, 01:54 UTC) - Place: Vineyard Haven, MA - Coordinates: 41.393333, -70.613891 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.3933&lon=-70.6139&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach: Course deviation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/281) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 2, 2019 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 99817 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA19CA401 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/99817/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99817 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA401 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain lateral position in relation to the instrument approach course at night in instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in collision with a tree. ## 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 172S, 18 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md?model=2072439), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172S, 14 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=2072439), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Cessna 172S, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=2072439), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md) - [Ceiling/visibility/precip: low visibility](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035015): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on personnel; cases with it: [Cessna 172S, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035015/cases.md?model=2072439), [All aircraft, 175 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035015/cases.md) - [Light condition: dark](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036020): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on personnel; cases with it: [Cessna 172S, 19 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036020/cases.md?model=2072439), [All aircraft, 448 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach: Course deviation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/281) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172S, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/281/sequence.md?model=2072439), [All aircraft, 52 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/281/sequence.md) - [Approach: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 172S, 118 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2072439), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Landing: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Cessna 172S, 15 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=2072439), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, while conducting an instrument landing system (ILS) approach at night in instrument meteorological conditions and while correcting course on the ILS, she saw full right deflection, corrected to the left, and then observed full left deflection on the course direction indicator about the decision altitude. She added that she then heard and felt a loud "bang." The airplane turned left, she aborted the approach, executed a missed approach, and declared an emergency. She was then vectored to a nearby airport where she landed the airplane without further incident. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. An examination by the Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed pine needles in the damaged section of the left wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The airport's automated weather observation station reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 220° at 5 knots, visibility 1/4 statute mile, runway visual range 1,800 ft, variable 2,200 ft, cloud condition fog, vertical visibility 200 ft, temperature 21°C (70°F), dew point 21°C (70°F), and altimeter setting 30.01 inches of mercury. The pilot was landing the airplane on runway 24. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that, while conducting the instrument landing system (ILS) 24 approach at night in instrument meteorological conditions, while correcting course on the ILS, she saw full right deflection, corrected to the left, and then observed full left deflection on the course direction indicator (CDI) at about the decision altitude. She then heard and felt a loud "bang." The airplane turned left, she aborted the approach, executed the missed approach, and declared an emergency. She was then vectored to a nearby airport where she landed without further incident. An examination by the Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed pine needles in the damaged section of the airplane's left wing. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The airport's automated weather observation station reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 220° at 5 knots, visibility one-quarter statute miles, runway visual range 1,800 ft variable 2,200 ft, cloud condition fog, vertical visibility 200 ft, temperature 21°C (70°F), dew point 21°C (70°F), altimeter setting 30.01" Hg. The airplane was landing runway 24. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N677DM](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N677DM), registered now, S/N 172S9661, built 2004 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172 (SP) - Registry model: [Cessna 172S](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172s) (registry code 2072439) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-360-L2A](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-360-l2a) (registry code 41597, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 172S9661 - Year built: 2004 - Airframe hours: 8060.1 - Engines: Lycoming IO-360-L2A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Air Fleet Training Systems - Registered owner: Aa-Aero Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, July 3, 2019 - Departed: GON, Groton (New London), CT - Destination: MVY, Vineyard Haven, MA - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: MVY, Martha's Vineyard, runway 24, 5,504 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Auto-pilot, ADS-B, Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 25; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review March 26, 2019; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 600 total, 550 in this make and model, 540 as pilot in command, 133.3 in the last 90 days, 54.7 in the last 30 days, 1.5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night - Wind: 220° at 5 knots - Lowest ceiling: 200 ft overcast - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 70 °F - Altimeter: 30.01 inHg - Observed at: KMVY ## 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 20190710009739A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20190710009739A), Jul 10, 2019: Cessna 172S, Vineyard Haven, MA, Substantial damage. The pilot stated that she was conducting a flight from essex county airport (cdw) to mvy with one passenger. The pilot obtained a weather brief before… ## Other investigations on N677DM (1) 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. - [NTSB ERA26LA003](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA26LA003), Oct 6, 2025: Cessna 172 (N677DM), West Milford, NJ, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to adequate clearance from obstacles while maneuvering during the landing approach and the instructor pilot’s delayed remedial action, which resulted in the airplane contacting a… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 6, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99817. 1.5 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 594 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40475606&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Record of Phone Conversation (item 2, .PDF, 99 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40475607&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Phone%20Conversation-Master.PDF - Accident Photos (item 3, .PDF, 849 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40475608&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photos-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.