# NTSB SEA91LA192: Cessna 172M, N12958, Little Rock, WA, July 20, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 19, 1991, 19:05 local (Jul 20, 1991, 02:05 UTC)
- Place: Little Rock, WA
- Location: 46.9018° N, 123.0179° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Littlerock, WA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.9018&lon=-123.0179&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 5 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 28, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41498
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA91LA192
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41498/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA91LA192

## Probable cause

A DELAYED GO-AROUND, AND AIRSPEED NOT BEING MAINTAINED.  FACTORS INCLUDE THE PILOT'S OVERCONFIDENCE IN THE AIRCRAFT'S ABILITY, THE PILOT'S LACK OF TOTAL EXPERIENCE IN THIS TYPE OF OPERATION, MISJUDGED CLEARANCE, AND THE USE OF IMPROPER PROCEDURE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Forced landing, go-around (vfr)
  - overconfidence in aircraft's ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - go-around - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type operation, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - clearance - misjudged, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - procedures/directives - improper use of, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT OF THE HEAVILY LOADED CESSNA 172 WAS FLYING A FULL-FLAP VFR APPROACH, WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO EXECUTE A GO-AROUND AT THE MIDPOINT OF THE 2,500 FOOT RUNWAY.  ALTHOUGH THE OWNER'S MANUAL CALLS FOR FULL POWER AND 20 DEGREES OF FLAPS DURING THIS MANEUVER, THE PILOT INITIALLY CHOSE TO SET 30 DEGREES OF FLAPS, AND ADDED ONLY PARTIAL POWER.  WHEN THE AIRCRAFT BEGAN TO SETTLE THE PILOT ADDED FULL POWER AND RAISED THE FLAPS TO 20 DEGREES.  BUT, BECAUSE THE AIRSPEED WAS DECREASING AND THE STALL WARNING HORN WAS SOUNDING, THE PILOT RETURNED THE FLAPS TO THE 30 DEGREE POSITION. IN THIS CONFIGURATION THE AIRCRAFT, WHICH WAS WITHIN 25 POUNDS OF MAXIMUM GROSS WEIGHT, DID NOT ACCELERATE OR CLIMB.  THE PILOT THEN CONCLUDED THAT HE WOULD NOT CLEAR THE TREES AT THE END OF THE AIRSTRIP, AND WAS FORCED TO ATTEMPT A LANDING IN AN ADJACENT FIELD.  DURING THIS ATTEMPT, DIRECTIONAL CONTROL WAS LOST AND THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED THE TERRAIN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N12958](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N12958-2006-06-27), registration cancelled 2006-06-27, S/N 17262403, built 1973 (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: 17262403
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: C And C Flying Club
- Registered owner: C And C Flying Club
- Departed: OLM, OLYMPIA, WA
- Destination: BRM, BREMERTON, WA
- Airport: Evergreen Gun Club, runway 36, 2,500 × 100 ft

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 267 total, 240 in this make and model, 267 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Day
- Wind: 270° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 99 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19910719028769A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910719028769A), Jul 19, 1991: Cessna 172M, Little Rock, WA, Substantial damage. Tried go around 30 degree flaps,could not climb crashed into trees. Five people in four place aircraft.

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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