# NTSB NYC00LA109: Cessna 172, N738CG, North Adams, MA, April 6, 2000

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 6, 2000, 17:15 local (21:15 UTC)
- Place: North Adams, MA
- Location: 42.6963° N, 73.1706° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at HARRIMAN-AND-WEST (AQW), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.6963&lon=-73.1706&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 29, 2000
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 48891
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC00LA109
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/48891/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC00LA109

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to obtain the proper touchdown point.  A factor was a tailwind.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Overrun, landing
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - proper touchdown point - not obtained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

Shortly after departure for the local flight, the pilot observed drizzle, and returned to the airport for landing.  The pilot reported that he experienced a wind shear on approach to the runway.  Weather data confirmed a 180 degree shift in the wind direction at the airport, within one hour.  A witness at the airport stated that the accident airplane touched down beyond the midpoint of the runway.  The airplane went off the end of the runway, into a fence.

## Factual narrative

On April 6, 2000, about 1715 Eastern Daylight Time, a Cessna 172, N738CG, was substantially damaged while landing at Harriman-and-West Airport (AQW), North Adams, Massachusetts.  The certificated private pilot was not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.  The local flight departed AQW about 1700.

The pilot stated that shortly after departure, he noticed drizzle, and returned to the airport for a landing on Runway 11.  Although the winds were initially favoring Runway 11, the pilot experienced "wind shear" during his final approach.  He landed with a tailwind, overran the runway, and the airplane came to rest in a fence.

The airport manager witnessed the accident.  He stated that the airplane touched down beyond the midpoint of the runway.

At 1652, the reported winds at AQW were from 100 degrees at 5 knots.  At 1752, the reported winds at AQW were from 280 degrees at 9 knots.

Examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector did not reveal any pre-impact mechanical malfunctions, nor did the pilot report any.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N738CG](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N738CG), registered now, S/N 17269867, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Cessna 172
- Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17269867
- Airframe hours: 3953
- Engines: Lycoming O-320 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Peter C. French
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 9, 1999, 145 hours before
- Departed: AQW
- Airport: AQW, Harriman And West Airport, runway 11, 4,300 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 64; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,260 total, 1,200 in this make and model, 940 as pilot in command, 18 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 100° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 6,500 ft overcast
- Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 34 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: AQW

## 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 20000406014949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000406014949A), Apr 6, 2000: Cessna 172, North Adams, MA, Substantial damage. (.4)Shortly after departure for the local flight, the pilot observed drizzle, and returned to the airport for landing. The pilot reported that he experienced a…

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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