# NTSB MIA08CA179: Cessna 172SP, N251SP, South Harpswell, ME, September 1, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 1, 2008, 13:30 local (17:30 UTC) - Place: South Harpswell, ME - Coordinates: 43.779167, -70.012779 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.7792&lon=-70.0128&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: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 22, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 68840 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA08CA179 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/68840/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA08CA179 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane while landing in gusty winds. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Wind: sudden wind shift](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034010): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Ability to respond/compensate (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172S, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034010/cases.md?model=2072439), [All aircraft, 114 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034010/cases.md) - [Aircraft capability: climb capability](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Capability exceeded; cases with it: [Cessna 172S, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061010/cases.md?model=2072439), [All aircraft, 183 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061010/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 172S, 206 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072439), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/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 172S, 49 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=2072439), [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 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) ## Analysis The pilot stated that prior to landing he believed that he had a quartering head wind between 6 and 8 knots. Once over runway 14 at 10 feet agl, "suddenly the wind shifted and we were lifted up and keeled over to the right. Once I leveled the wings I realized that we were quickly running out of runway." The pilot stated that he attempted a go-around; he put in full power and raised the flaps to 20 degrees. However, he did not have enough power or clearance to stay out of the trees. The pilot banked left to avoid the trees and "dropped" the airplane in a field between houses. The airplane hit the ground and then skidded to a stop into a tree. The reported weather conditions at Brunswick, Maine, at the time of the accident was visual meteorological conditions with winds at 340 degrees at 19 knots gusting to 27 knots. ## Factual narrative The pilot stated that prior to landing he believed that he had a quartering head wind between 6 and 8 knots. Once over runway 14 at about 10 feet agl., "suddenly the wind shifted and we were lifted up and keeled over to the right. Once I leveled the wings I realized that we were quickly running out of runway." The pilot stated that he attempted a go-around; he put in full power and raised the flaps to 20 degrees. However, he did not have enough power or clearance to stay out of the trees. The pilot banked left to avoid the trees and "dropped" the airplane in a field between houses. The airplane hit the ground and then skidded to a stop into a tree. The reported weather conditions at Brunswick, Maine, at the time of the accident was visual meteorological conditions with winds at 340 degrees at 19 knots gusting to 27 knots. The pilot said he and the two passengers were out of the airplane in 15 seconds. Damage to the airplane consisted of the left wing and empennage. Emergency responders arrived within 5 minutes, but no one was injured. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N251SP](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N251SP-2008-10-07), registration cancelled 2008-10-07, S/N 172S8227, built 1999 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172SP - Registry model: [Cessna 172S](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172s) (registry code 2072439) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 172S8227 - Engines: Lycoming IO360-L2A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Ari Meisel - Registered owner: Ari Meisel - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 1, 2007, 52 hours before - Departed: PSM, Portsmouth, NH - Destination: ME33, South Harpswell, ME - Airport: ME33, Farr Field, runway 14, 1,900 × 100 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 25; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review December 1, 2006; seat: left; flight hours: 142 total, 142 in this make and model, 90 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 340° at 19 knots, gusting 27 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 43 °F - Altimeter: 30.01 inHg - Observed at: NHZ 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.