# NTSB NYC04CA009: Cessna 182C, N8511T, Clarence Center, NY, October 10, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 10, 2003, 19:45 local (23:45 UTC) - Place: Clarence Center, NY - Coordinates: 43.061111, -78.661392 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.0611&lon=-78.6614&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 5, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Rochester - NTSB case key (mKey): 58134 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC04CA009 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/58134/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC04CA009 ## Probable cause The pilot's delayed go-around decision. A factor in this accident was the night light condition. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with terrain/water, go-around (vfr) - light condition - night (contributing factor) - go-around - delayed, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The airplane was on final approach to land on runway 18, a 2,230-foot-long, 55-foot-wide, lighted grass runway. The pilot stated he added full flaps when he thought he had the runway "made;" however, it became apparent that the airplane was "high and long." The pilot initiated a go-around, added power and raised the flaps to "two notches;" however, the airplane settled into the trees located at the end of the runway. The pilot further said that he was not certain how high the airplane was above the trees when he initiated the go-around because it was dark. The pilot reported 1,546 hours of total flight experience, which included 970 hours in make and model, and 11 hours in "night" conditions. ## Factual narrative On October 10, 2003, about 1945 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 182C, N8511T, was substantially damaged during a go-around at the Potoczak Airport, Clarence Center, New York. The certificated commercial pilot was not injured. Night visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed for the local flight. The personal flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot stated he entered the traffic pattern to land on runway 18, a 2,230-foot-long, 55-foot-wide, lighted grass runway. On final approach, he added full flaps when he thought he had the runway "made;" however, it became apparent that the airplane was "high and long." The pilot initiated a go-around, added power and raised the flaps to "two notches;" however, the airplane settled into the trees located at the end of the runway. The pilot further said that he was not certain how high the airplane was above the trees when he initiated the go-around because it was dark. The pilot stated he did not experience any mechanical problems with the airplane. The pilot reported 1,546 hours of total flight experience, which included 970 hours in make and model, and 11 hours in "night" conditions. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8511T](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8511T), registered now, S/N 52411, built 1960 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 182C - Registry model: [Cessna 182C](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182c) (registry code 2072708) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 52411 - Airframe hours: 3015 - Engines: Continental O-470 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: W.A.K. Enterprises Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: D46, Clarence Center, NY - Destination: D46, Clarence Center, NY - Airport: D46, Potoczak, runway 18, 2,230 × 55 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 66; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review December 24, 2002; seat: left; flight hours: 1,546 total, 970 in this make and model, 1,436 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night - Wind: 50° at 6 knots - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 59 °F - Altimeter: 30.12 inHg - Observed at: BUF, 8 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 20031010030579A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20031010030579A), Oct 10, 2003: Cessna 182C, Clarence Center, NY, Substantial damage. (-23) On October 10, 2003, at 1945 EST a Cessna 182, N8511T collided with trees past the end of the runway while attempting a go-around from Potoczak Airport… 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.