# NTSB SEA03LA084: Cessna 172 N, N5326J, Center Island, WA, May 19, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 19, 2003, 13:30 local (20:30 UTC) - Place: Center Island, WA - Coordinates: 48.487499, -122.832778 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.4875&lon=-122.8328&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 25, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 57022 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA03LA084 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/57022/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA03LA084 ## Probable cause The pilot did not attain the proper touchdown point during landing. The pilot's diverted attention, deer near the runway, and trees were factors. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Overrun, landing - proper touchdown point - not attained, pilot in command (cause) - diverted attention, pilot in command (contributing factor) - object - animal(s) (contributing factor) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - object - tree(s) (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot observed deer midfield on the runway during final approach to runway 17 and initiated a go around. On his second approach the pilot's focus of attention was on the deer to make sure they weren't moving to the runway center. The deer stayed clear but the distraction put the pilot too far down field to allow a safe go around. Committed to the landing, the pilot applied the brakes immediately on touch down but "grass skid" was a problem. The aircraft went past the end of the runway impacting two small trees resulting in substantial damage to the aircraft. ## Factual narrative On May 19, 2003, about 1330 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 172N, N5326J, sustained substantial damage subsequent to a runway overrun and collision with trees at a private airstrip (78WA) at Center Island, Washington. The airplane is owned by a private party, and was being operated by the pilot as a visual flight rules (VFR) personal/pleasure flight under the provisions of Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. The private pilot, the sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed for the local flight. The flight originated from San Juan Island (FHR) approximately 10 minutes prior to the accident. In a written statement the pilot reported that while on final approach to runway 17 he observed deer midfield on the runway and initiated a go around. On his second approach the pilot stated that "My focus of attention was on the deer to make sure they weren't moving to the runway center. The deer stayed clear but the distraction had put me too far down field to allow a safe go around. I was commited (sp) to the landing." The pilot further reported that the brakes were immediately applied on touch down but "grass skid" was a problem. The aircraft went past the end of the runway impacting two small trees resulting in substantial damage to the aircraft. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5326J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5326J-2013-04-23), registration cancelled 2013-04-23, S/N 17273760, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172 N - Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17273760 - Airframe hours: 7614.8 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Gary R. Peters - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, May 9, 2003, 40 hours before - Departed: FHR, FRIDAY HARBOR, WA - Destination: 78WA, Center Island, WA - Airport: 78WA, Center Island, runway 17, 1,600 × 100 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 65; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review October 19, 2001; seat: left; flight hours: 139 total, 40 in this make and model, 75 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 43 °F - Altimeter: 30.04 inHg - Observed at: KFHR, 8 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 20030519009149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030519009149A), May 19, 2003: Cessna 172N, Center Island, UT, Substantial damage. (-23) The pilot stated that upon first attempt to land onto runway 16 at Center Island Airport, a go-around was made due to a deer on the center of the runway.… 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.