NYC98LA158

NTSB accident investigation · Cessna 175 · East Canton, OH · August 1, 1998

Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal report
Date
August 1, 1998, 15:30 local (19:30 UTC)
Place
East Canton, OH
Injuries
1 minor
Damage
Substantial damage
Phase of flight
Landing
Aircraft
N6716ECessna 175
Weather
Visual (VMC) · Day
Status
Completed · report August 27, 1999
Report
Approved by Office Director
FAA report
19980801019199A
Case key
43827

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

On this page

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain direction control of the airplane.

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
Weather condition - crosswind
Directional control - not maintainedPilot in commandCause
On ground/water encounter with terrain/waterLanding - roll
Terrain condition - crop

Analysis

The airplane departed and flew to a private airstrip. The pilot configured the airplane with full flaps, and the airplane touched down left of centerline at 57 mph. After touchdown, the pilot retracted the flaps because of insufficient weight on the wheels, then applied the brakes. The airplane decelerated, and turned left toward a cornfield bordering the runway. The pilot corrected with rudder, but the left wing contacted the first row of corn. After about 30 yards, the airplane turned left into the cornfield; the nose wheel sheared off, and the airplane nosed over. The airplane came to rest inverted approximately 190 feet short of the departure end of the runway. The runway was 1,500 feet long, 50 feet wide, was bordered by 6 foot tall corn on either side, and sloped in the landing direction. It was also sloped to the right. The airplane's wing span was 36 feet wide and flight control continuity was established. The pilot had 600 hours of total flight experience and 14 in make and model. He was landing to the south and into a crosswind.

Factual narrative

On August 1, 1998, at 1530 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 175, N6716E, was substantially damaged while landing at a private airstrip in East Canton, Ohio. The certificated private pilot received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight that departed Tri-City Airport (3G6), Sebring, Ohio, at 1515. No flight plan had been filed, and the flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.

In the NTSB form 6120.1/2, the pilot stated that he departed 3G6 and flew for approximately 15 minutes to a private airstrip. While approaching the private airstrip, the pilot configured the airplane with full flaps. After extending the flaps and maneuvering to the runway, the airplane touched-down at an indicated airspeed of 57 mph. After touchdown, the pilot felt there was insufficient weight on the wheels for effective braking, so he retracted the flaps then applied the brakes. When he applied the brakes, he sensed the airplane decelerate and turn to the left toward a cornfield that bordered the runway. The pilot corrected with rudder, but the left wing made contact with the first row of corn.

With the left wing impacting corn in the first row, the pilot kept the airplane straight for approximately 30 yards. After 30 yards, the airplane turned left into the cornfield; the nose wheel was sheared off, and the airplane nosed over.

In a written statement, a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Inspector noted that the runway was 1,500 feet long, 50 feet wide, and sloped in the landing direction. The runway was also sloped to the right and bordered by 6 foot tall corn on either side. In addition, the airplane came to rest approximately 190 feet short of the departure end of the runway, and there were no problems with flight control continuity. Also, the inspector stated that tire marks indicated the airplane touched down left of centerline.

According to the manufacturer's specifications the airplane had a wing span of 36 feet and required a ground roll of 590 feet to clear a 50 foot obstacle.

In the NTSB form 6120.1/2 the pilot stated that he had 600 hours of flight experience, with 14 hours in make and model. He added that he was landing to the south and the winds were from the west at 5 knots gusting to 10 knots

Aircraft

Registration
N6716E
Reported as
Cessna 175
Category
Airplane
Serial number
56216
Airframe hours
3,030
Engine
Continental GO-300, 175 horsepower, reciprocating
Damage
Substantial damage
Flight
Personal · Part 91
Registered owner
Thomas Lesher
Airworthiness certificate
Standard, Normal
Last inspection
Annual · June 3, 1998 · 10 hours before
Departed
3G6 · Sebring, OH
Destination
NONE
Airport
NONE · Private Airport, runway 18, 1,500 × 50 ft, grass/turf

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
44
Certificate
Private
Airplane ratings
Single-engine land
Instrument ratings
Airplane
Medical
Class 3, Valid Medical--no waivers/lim.
Seat
Left
Flight hours
600 total · 14 in this make and model · 600 as pilot in command · 8 in the last 90 days · 2 in the last 30 days · 2 in the last 24 hours

Weather

Conditions
Visual (VMC) · Day
Wind
40° at 12 knots
Visibility
10 statute miles
Lowest ceiling
None
Temperature
73 °F, dew point 55 °F
Altimeter
30.00 inHg
Observed at
CLE, 52 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.