# NTSB NYC91LA091: Cessna 172M, N20360, Leroy, NY, March 18, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 17, 1991, 20:00 local (Mar 18, 1991, 01:00 UTC)
- Place: Leroy, NY
- Coordinates: 42.969993, -77.990341 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.9700&lon=-77.9903&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 5, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36892
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC91LA091
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36892/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC91LA091

## Probable cause

THE HARD LANDING MADE BY THE PILOT.  FACTORS RELATING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE DECISION OF THE PILOT TO LAND ON THE RUNWAY DESPITE THE RUNWAY LIGHTING SYSTEM BEING PARTIALLY INOPERATIVE, AND THE LACK OF EXPERIENCE OF THE PILOT AT NIGHT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Overrun, landing
  - airport facilities,runway edge lights - failure,partial (contributing factor)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of total experience in type operation, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - flare - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed(vlof) - excessive, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE AIRPLANE WAS RETURNING FOR LANDING FROM A LOCAL NIGHT FLIGHT.  THE PILOT WAS ADVISED SOME RUNWAY LIGHTS WERE INOPERATIVE AND CAR LIGHTS WOULD BE USED TO ILLUMINATE THE RUNWAY.  THE PILOT HAD DIFFICULTY FINDING THE AIRPORT.  HE ABORTED HIS FIRST APPROACH, BECAUSE IT DID NOT LOOK RIGHT. ON HIS SECOND APPROACH HE SAID, 'EVERYTHING LOOKED GOOD, I FLARED, AND THEN THE PLANE SUDDENLY HIT THE RUNWAY HARD.  I TOOK OFF AGAIN AND MADE ANOTHER ATTEMPT...I MADE MY APPROACH, LANDED ON THE RUNWAY A GOOD DISTANCE DOWN THE RUNWAY AND PROCEEDED TO DIRECT THE AIRCRAFT TO THE GRASS.'  AN EXAMINATION OF THE AIRPLANE BY THE FAA REVEALED BUCKLING OF THE FIREWALL. THE PILOT HAD A TOTAL OF 103 FLIGHT HOURS WITH 7 HOURS IN THIS MODEL.  HE HAD A TOTAL OF 4 HOURS NIGHT TIME.  HE HAD FLOWN 2 HOURS IN THE LAST 90 DAYS AND 1 HOUR IN THE LAST 30 DAYS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N20360](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N20360), registered now, S/N 17261222, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172M
- Registry model: [Cessna 172M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172m) (registry code 2072418) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17261222
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Golden Wings Aviation Inc.
- Registered owner: Golden Wings Aviation Inc.
- Airport: 5G0, Leroy, runway 28, 2,645 × 28 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 22; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 103 total, 7 in this make and model, 413 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19910317013949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910317013949A), Mar 17, 1991: Cessna 172M, Le Roy, Substantial damage. Had problems locating poorly lit runway then made hard landing. Went around landed with bent firewall. Not current.

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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