# NTSB GAA20CA095: Cessna 120, N77200, Marion, AL, October 23, 2019

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: October 23, 2019, 16:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Marion, AL
- Coordinates: 32.510555, -87.384719 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.5106&lon=-87.3847&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 21, 2020
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 100632
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA20CA095
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/100632/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100632
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA20CA095

## Probable cause

The student pilot's overapplication of the brakes during landing to avoid a deer on the runway, which resulted in a nose-over.

## 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 · Student/instructed 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)
- [Landing gear system: brake](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 120, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242/cases.md?model=2071402), [All aircraft, 297 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242/cases.md)
- [Object/animal/substance: animal(s)/bird(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 120, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045/cases.md?model=2071402), [All aircraft, 358 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

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

- [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096) (defining event); 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 student pilot reported that, during the landing roll, a deer entered the runway in front of the airplane's path. He firmly applied the brakes, and the airplane subsequently nosed over and then came to rest inverted. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left-wing lift strut and rudder. The student reported that there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Factual narrative

The student pilot reported that during the landing roll a deer entered the runway in front of the airplane's path. He firmly applied the brakes and the airplane subsequently nosed over coming to rest inverted. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left-wing lift strut and rudder. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot did not submit the National Transportation Safety Board Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident/Incident Report Form 6120.1.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N77200](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N77200-2021-07-12), registration cancelled 2021-07-12, S/N 11662, 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: 11662
- Year built: 1946
- Engines: Continental C85 SERIES 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: 7A0, Greensboro, AL
- Destination: 7A0, Greensboro, AL
- Airport: A08, Vaiden Field, runway 16, 6,400 × 80 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: Unknown

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Student pilot; age 18; injuries: none; student; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 60 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 37 °F
- Altimeter: 30.13 inHg
- Observed at: KDYA, 29 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 20191023021669A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20191023021669A), Oct 23, 2019: Cessna 120, Marion, AL, Destroyed. On landing, pilot applied the brakes to avoid hitting a deer on the runway. Upon hard application of the brakes, the aircraft rolled over forward, coming to…

## Docket (3 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 6, 2020, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100632. 377 KB in all.

- Student Pilot's Statement (item 1, .PDF, 181 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40481075&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Student%20Pilot%27s%20Statement-Master.PDF
- FAA Inspector Statement (item 2, .PDF, 19 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40481076&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%20Statement-Master.PDF
- Accident Photo (item 3, .PDF, 176 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40481077&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo-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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