# NTSB NYC02LA165: Cessna 172G, N56BC, Sangerville, ME, August 14, 2002

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 14, 2002, 19:25 local (23:25 UTC)
- Place: Sangerville, ME
- Coordinates: 45.166667, -69.416664
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.1667&lon=-69.4167&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report July 23, 2003
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: FAA/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 55488
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC02LA165
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/55488/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC02LA165

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed during a go-around, which resulted in an inadvertent stall.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, go-around (vfr)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command
- In flight collision with object, go-around (vfr)
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

The pilot made an approach to a private airstrip, but felt he would land too long.  He initiated a go-around, but the airplane stalled and subsequently impacted the ground between two trees.  The airplane came to rest nose-down, with the tail sticking up almost vertically.

## Factual narrative

On August 14, 2002, at 1925 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172, N56BC, was substantially damaged when it impacted the ground during a go-around attempt at a private airstrip in Sangerville, Maine.  The certificated private pilot received minor injuries.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time, and no flight plan had been filed for the flight, between Concord Municipal Airport (CON), Concord, New Hampshire, and Sangerville.  The personal flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.

According to the pilot, his approach to the airstrip was "normal at 65-70 mph."  The pilot thought he was going to land too long, so he "attempted a go-around with insufficient altitude and airspeed."

Photographs from the accident scene revealed that the airplane came to rest nose-down, between two trees, with the tail sticking up almost vertically.  There was leading edge crush to both wings, the flaps appeared to be up, and the carburetor heat appeared to be activated.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N56BC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N56BC-2006-11-14), registration cancelled 2006-11-14, S/N 17254049, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Cessna 172G
- Registry model: [Cessna 172G](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172g) (registry code 2072420) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17254049
- Airframe hours: 2950
- Engines: Continental O-300 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Jack F. Bastian
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 2, 2002, 9 hours before
- Departed: CON, Concord, NH
- Destination: NONE, Sangerville, ME
- Airport: NONE, Private Airstrip, runway 35, 2,200 × 80 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 68; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review May 1, 2001; seat: left; flight hours: 1,395 total, 551 in this make and model, 15 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 68 °F
- Altimeter: 30.01 inHg
- Observed at: MLT

## 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 20020814038609A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020814038609A), Aug 14, 2002: Cessna 172G, Sangerville, ME, Substantial damage. (-23) Owner/operator private pilot attempting landing on private airstrip in rural area. Airstrip is turf with 100 foot elevation change over 2,200 feet…

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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