# NTSB NYC08CA036: Cessna 120, N120AB, Ocala, FL, November 13, 2007

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: November 13, 2007, 18:30 local (23:30 UTC)
- Place: Ocala, FL
- Coordinates: 29.174999, -82.224166
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.1750&lon=-82.2242&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report May 28, 2008
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: FAA/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 67077
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC08CA036
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/67077/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC08CA036

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain proper runway alignment during landing.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, landing - flare/touchdown
  - proper alignment - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - airport sign/marker

## Analysis

The purpose of the flight was for the pilot of the Cessna 120 to regain his night currency. While turning onto the final leg of the approach, he thought that the airplane's altitude was higher than normal, so he "slipped" the airplane. While in the landing flare he lost visual contact with the runway. The airplane touched down left of the centerline near the runway edge, impacted a runway sign, and ended up in the inverted position. The pilot reported that he did not experience any mechanical malfunctions with the airplane prior to impact.

## Factual narrative

According to the pilot of the Cessna 120, the purpose of the flight was to regain his night currency. While turning onto the final leg of the approach, he thought that the airplane's altitude was higher than normal, so he "slipped" the airplane. While in the landing flare he lost visual contact with the runway. The airplane touched down left of the centerline near the runway edge, impacted a runway sign, and ended up in the inverted position. The pilot reported that he did not experience any mechanical malfunctions with the airplane prior to impact.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N120AB](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N120AB-2013-07-16), registration cancelled 2013-07-16, S/N 10910, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Cessna 120
- Registry model: [Cessna 120](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-120) (registry code 2071402) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 10910
- Airframe hours: 3500
- Engines: Continental C85 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Albert J.Bazo, doing business as Self
- Registered owner: Albert Bazo
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 1, 2007, 3,500 hours before
- Departed: OCF, Ocala, FL
- Destination: OCF, Ocala, FL
- Airport: OCF, Ocala International, runway 18, 6,907 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 70; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3; seat: left; flight hours: 6,464 total, 365 in this make and model, 40 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 30.09 inHg
- Observed at: OCF

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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