# NTSB NYC95LA121: Cessna 182E, N3168Y, Frederick, PA, May 23, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 23, 1995, 19:30 local (23:30 UTC)
- Place: Frederick, PA
- Coordinates: 40.249065, -75.640785 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.2491&lon=-75.6408&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 4, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 38969
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC95LA121
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/38969/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC95LA121

## Probable cause

The pilot's inadequate inflight planning by failing to verify the wind direction for landing.  Also causal is the pilot's failure to obtain the proper touch down point and to do a go-around.

## Sequence of events

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

- Overrun, landing - roll
  - in-flight planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - wind information - not obtained, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper touchdown point - not obtained, pilot in command (cause)
  - go-around - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ditch
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PILOT DEPARTED IN HIS OWN AIRPLANE TO FLY TO HIS FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR'S AIRSTRIP.  HE ESTIMATED THAT THE WINDS WERE FROM THE SOUTHWEST AT THE DEPARTURE AIRPORT.  UPON ARRIVAL AT HIS DESTINATION, HE ATTEMPTED A LANDING ON RUNWAY 31, A 1400 FOOT GRASS STRIP.  THE STUDENT DECIDED THAT HIS APPROACH WAS FAST AND PERFORMED A G0-AROUND. THE STUDENT STATED THAT DURING A SECOND ATTEMPT, HE WAS STILL FAST ON FINAL, BUT ELECTED TO LAND, AND TOUCHED DOWN ABOUT MID-FIELD. THE AIRPLANE 'SKIDDED' TOWARDS THE END OF THE RUNWAY INTO A DRAINAGE DITCH AND NOSED OVER. THE STUDENT ESTIMATED THAT THE WINDS WERE FROM THE SOUTHEAST AT 15 KNOTS, GUSTING TO 20 KNOTS. THE STUDENT STATED THAT HE SHOULD HAVE DONE A GO-AROUND.

## Factual narrative

On May 23, 1995, at 1930 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 182E, N3168Y, was substantially damaged during landing at the Drewniany-Springmeadow Airport (PA85), Frederick, Pennsylvania.  The student pilot was not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight that originated at Allentown, Pennsylvania, at 1900.  No flight plan had been filed for the flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.

In the NTSB Form 6120.1/2, the student pilot/owner of the airplane stated that when he departed the Allentown Queen City Airport, he estimated the winds were from the southwest.  His route of flight was direct to PA85, a private 1,400 foot grass strip, where his flight instructor was located.

He further stated:

...[I] attempted to land on runway 31 and was coming in      fast, so I proceeded with a go-around.  Attempted a      second landing.  Landing was made, although I was still      approaching fast.  Rather than elect to do a go-around,      I proceeded with the landing.  I skidded towards the      end of the runway, hit a drainage ditch, and  flipped      aircraft over.  After reviewing the conditions, I had      landed downwind...I touched down approximately      mid-field and I should have done a go-around.

In the NTSB Form 6120.1/2, the pilot estimated that the winds were from the southeast at 15 knots, gusting to 20.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3168Y](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3168Y), registered now, S/N 18254168, built 1962 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 182E
- Registry model: [Cessna 182](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182) (registry code 2072702) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18254168
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-R 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Perry R. Friz
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: 1N9, ALLENTOWN, PA
- Destination: PA85
- Airport: PA85, Spring Meadow, runway 31, 1,400 × 75 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 114 total, 73 in this make and model, 8 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 160° at 15 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °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 19950523013069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950523013069A), May 23, 1995: Cessna 182E, Frederick, PA, Substantial damage. Tried to land on 1400 foot strip downwind on second try. Skidded off end. Struck ditch. Nosed over. Failed go around

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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