# NTSB MIA08CA182: Cessna 172K, N79210, Tunkhannock, PA, September 3, 2008

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: September 3, 2008, 17:30 local (21:30 UTC)
- Place: Tunkhannock, PA
- Coordinates: 41.529167, -75.946945 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.5292&lon=-75.9469&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 22, 2009
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: FAA/ FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 68867
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA08CA182
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/68867/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA08CA182

## Probable cause

The pilot's improper airspeed while landing.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Performance/control parameters: airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172K, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=2072430), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md)
- [Terrain: sloped/uneven terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021017): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Not specified; cases with it: [Cessna 172K, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021017/cases.md?model=2072430), [All aircraft, 270 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021017/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 172K, 33 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072430), [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.

- [Landing: Landing area overshoot](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/380); cases with it: [Cessna 172K, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/380/sequence.md?model=2072430), [All aircraft, 400 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/380/sequence.md)
- [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172K, 15 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=2072430), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot of the Cessna 172K stated that he entered the pattern for runway 1, a 2007-foot-long, 50-foot-wide, asphalt runway. His traffic pattern altitude was 200 feet higher than the required 1,500 feet. He performed a slip to lose the excess altitude and establish an 80-mph descent on a downwind leg, with 10 degrees of flap extension. The pilot added another 10 degrees of flaps, reduced the throttle to 1,300 rpm, and turned onto a base leg. The airplane's speed remained at 80 mph, instead of decreasing to the 75 mph speed he was trying to attain. Although his speed was still higher than the speed he wanted, he turned to final and overshot the runway "numbers." He added, "the plane was traveling too fast to make the turn at the end of the runway." Consequently, he "ran off the end of the runway into an embankment." The pilot did not report any mechanical or flight control anomalies prior to the accident.

## Factual narrative

The pilot stated that he was on a local flight which was uneventful. He said that when he arrived at his destination airport, he entered the airport pattern for runway 1. Additionally, he recalled that his traffic pattern altitude (TPA) was 200 feet higher than the required 1,500 feet. He said that he did a slip to lose the excess altitude and establish an 80 mph descent on downwind with 10 degrees of flaps. He also said that he added another 10 degrees of flaps, reduced the throttle to 1,300 rpm, and turned base. The airplane's speed remained at 80 mph, instead of decreasing to the 75 mph speed he was trying to attain. Although his speed was still higher than the speed he wanted, he turned to final and overshot the runway "numbers". He continued by saying that "the plane was traveling too fast to make the turn at the end of the runway." Consequently, he "ran off the end of the runway into an embankment." The pilot did not report any mechanical or flight control anomalies prior to the accident.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N79210](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N79210-2009-07-07), registration cancelled 2009-07-07, S/N 17257964, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172K
- Registry model: [Cessna 172K](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172k) (registry code 2072430) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17257964
- Airframe hours: 2623
- Engines: Lycoming O-320 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Cherry Ridge Airport Flying Club Incorporated
- Registered owner: Cherry Ridge Airport Flying Club Incorporated
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 1, 2007
- Departed: N30, Honesdale, PA
- Destination: 76N, Tunkhannock, PA
- Airport: 76N, Skyhaven Airport, runway 01, 2,007 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 66; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review July 1, 2008; seat: left; flight hours: 244 total, 244 in this make and model, 189 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 29.90 inHg
- Observed at: AVP, 16 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 20080903843979A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080903843979A), Sep 3, 2008: Cessna 172K, Tunkhannock, PA, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot departed the cherry ridge airport (N30) honesdale, PA enroute to sky have airport (76N) Tunkhannock, PA. The pilot was making an approach to runway…

## Other investigations on N79210 (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 NYC01LA110](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC01LA110), Apr 22, 2001: Cessna 172K (N79210), Honesdale, PA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's loss of directional control during the landing roll. A factor was gusting winds.

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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