# NTSB NYC08CA303: Cessna 172, N6478E, Newton, MS, August 30, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 30, 2008, 11:30 local (16:30 UTC) - Place: Newton, MS - Coordinates: 32.308887, -89.132499 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.3089&lon=-89.1325&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) - 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): 68863 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC08CA303 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/68863/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC08CA303 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control while landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172, 30 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072402), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Landing gear system: nose/tail gear attach section](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023221): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Capability exceeded; cases with it: [Cessna 172, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023221/cases.md?model=2072402), [All aircraft, 29 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023221/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=2072402), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the pilot of the Cessna 172, the purpose of the cross-country flight was to move the airplane away from the potential path of a hurricane. While on the final leg of the approach, the airplane was configured with "30 degrees of flaps, the descent rate and airspeed were normal." While in the flare, the right main landing gear and right wingtip impacted the runway, damaging the wing spar. Subsequently, the nose wheel collapsed damaging the firewall, and the airplane skidded approximately 100 feet down runway 31. The winds reported about the time of the accident, approximately 22 miles to the east, were 030 degrees at 6 knots, with no wind gusts. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions of the airplane. ## Factual narrative According to the pilot of the Cessna 172, the purpose of the cross-country flight was to move the airplane away from the potential path of a hurricane. While on the final leg of the approach, the airplane was configured with 30 degrees of flaps, and "the descent rate and airspeed were normal." While in the flare, the right main landing gear and right wingtip impacted the runway, damaging the wing spar. Subsequently, the nose wheel collapsed, damaging the firewall, and the airplane skidded approximately 100 feet down runway 31. The winds reported about the time of the accident, approximately 22 miles to the east, were 030 degrees at 6 knots with no wind gusts. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions of the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6478E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6478E-2018-01-05), registration cancelled 2018-01-05, S/N 46578, built 1959 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172 - Registry model: [Cessna 172](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172) (registry code 2072402) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 46578 - Airframe hours: 3315.6 - Engines: Continental Motors 0-300 SER 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 1, 2007 - Departed: 2R7, Franklinton, LA - Destination: M23, Newton, MS - Airport: M23, James H Easom Airport, runway 31, 3,000 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 63; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 1, 2006; seat: left; flight hours: 161 total, 161 in this make and model, 112 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 30° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 72 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: MEI, 22 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 20080830845129A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080830845129A), Aug 30, 2008: Cessna 172, Newton, MS, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot stated nose gear collapsed upon landing. Nose gear had collapsed. Right main landing gear was bent upward and aft. Damage was noted on the right… 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.