NYC95LA213

NTSB accident investigation · Cessna 172RG · Meriden, CT · September 3, 1995

Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal report
Date
September 3, 1995, 15:45 local (19:45 UTC)
Place
Meriden, CT
Injuries
1 serious, 2 uninjured
Damage
Substantial damage
Phase of flight
Landing
Aircraft
N4671VCessna 172RG
Weather
Visual (VMC) · Day
Status
Completed · report December 4, 1995
Report
Approved by Office Director
FAA report
19950903040159A
Case key
39044

From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.

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Probable cause

the pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll which resulted in the aircraft veering off the runway, and a subsequent collision with a fence.

Sequence of events

NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.

Loss of control - on ground/waterLanding - roll
Directional control - not maintainedPilot in commandCause
On ground/water collision with objectLanding - roll
Object - fence

Analysis

During the landing roll, the airplane veered off the right side of the runway, and collided with a fence. The pilot stated, 'at touchdown...brake locked...and aircraft pulled to right.' Postaccident examination revealed skid marks from both main wheels, which began approximately 1200 feet from the approach end of the 3100 foot long runway, continued for 150 feet and veered to the right side of the runway. The FAA inspector stated, 'tires look good, no evidence of severe scuffing that would be associated with a locked brake. Inspection of the brake assembly revealed no anomalies.

Factual narrative

On September 3, 1995, about 1545 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172RG, N4671V, was substantially damaged, when it veered off the runway, during the landing on runway 36, at Meriden Markham Municipal, Meriden, Connecticut. The private pilot and one passenger were not injured, and one passenger received serious injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and an instrument flight rules flight plan was filed for the flight that departed from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania at 1415. The personal flight, operated by Raritan Valley Flying School, was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.

In the NTSB form 6120.1/2, the pilot stated:

At touchdown at Meriden...winds light, brake locked at touchdown and aircraft pulled to the right....Aircraft struck cyclone perimeter fence.

The FAA Inspector stated:

Inspection of runway 36 showed skid/scuff marks beginning approximately 1200 feet from the approach end of the runway. The marks were from both main wheels and appeared to be more scuff marks from side loading rather than skidding from heavy breaking. The marks continued for approximately 150 feet and veered to the right side of the runway....At approximately the runway edge, it appears that the tail began to drag....Apparently as the aircraft crossed the parallel taxiway it stopped its right turn and began to travel perpendicular to the runway. The aircraft traveled approximately 700 feet across a field and struck a chainlink airport boundary fence.

The FAA Inspector further stated, "Tires look good, no evidence of severe scuffing that would be associated with a locked brake."

According to the Airport Facility Directory, runway 36, was a 3100 foot long runway. Additionally, 25 miles northeast, the winds were reported, from 070 degrees, at 3 knots.

Additionally, during a telephone interview with the president of JRA Executive Air, Inc., Hagerstown, Maryland. He stated that the airplane was hauled to their facility to be repaired. During a brake inspection, the airplane was jacked up, wheels spun up, and the brakes applied. During the brake application, "both wheels came to a screeching halt."

Aircraft

Registration
N4671V
Reported as
Cessna 172RG
Category
Airplane
Serial number
172RG0361
Airframe hours
3,998
Engine
Lycoming O-360-F1A6, 180 horsepower, reciprocating
Damage
Substantial damage
Flight
Personal · Part 91
Registered owner
Raritan Valley Flying School
Last inspection
100 hour · August 19, 1995
Departed
CXY · Harrisburg, PA
Destination
MMK
Flight plan
IFR
Airport
MMK · Meriden Markham Municipal, runway 36, 3,100 × 75 ft, asphalt

Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

Role
Pilot
Age
45
Certificate
Private
Airplane ratings
Single-engine land
Instrument ratings
Airplane
Medical
Class 3, Unknown
Seat
Left
Flight hours
1,165 total · 35 in this make and model · 1,102 as pilot in command · 7 in the last 90 days · 3 in the last 30 days

Weather

Conditions
Visual (VMC) · Day
Wind
70° at 3 knots
Visibility
25 statute miles
Lowest ceiling
None
Temperature
79 °F, dew point 43 °F
Altimeter
30.00 inHg
Observed at
BDL, 25 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.