# NTSB WPR11CA035: Cessna 172S, N3542V, Branscomb, CA, November 1, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 31, 2010, 17:45 local (Nov 1, 2010, 00:45 UTC) - Place: Branscomb, CA - Coordinates: 39.45111, -123.372222 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.4511&lon=-123.3722&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 16, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 77723 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR11CA035 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/77723/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=77723 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR11CA035 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from trees during the landing roll on an unimproved airstrip. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172S, 14 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=2072439), [All aircraft, 1,397 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Response/compensation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172S, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=2072439), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172S, 117 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2072439), [All aircraft, 10,152 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230); cases with it: [Cessna 172S, 77 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2072439), [All aircraft, 4,590 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Cessna 172S, 76 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=2072439), [All aircraft, 3,656 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that during the landing roll on a sloped dirt airstrip, the airplane approached a slight incline. As he began slowing the airplane, the right wingtip stuck a tree adjacent to the runway and the airplane immediately yawed 90-degrees to the right. The airplane departed the runway surface area, traveled down a small embankment, and impacted a group of small trees, which resulted in structural damage to both wings and engine firewall. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions with the airplane. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that during the landing roll on a dirt airstrip the airplane approached "the second part of the runway that is at a slight angle and incline" to the first part of the strip. He stated that as he began slowing the airplane, the right wingtip stuck a tree located adjacent to the runway and the airplane immediately yawed 90-degrees to the right. The airplane exited the runway surface area, traveled down a small embankment, and impacted a group of small trees, which resulted in structural damage to both wings and engine firewall. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions with the airplane during the accident sequence. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3542V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3542V-2011-05-10), registration cancelled 2011-05-10, S/N 172S8906 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172S - Registry model: [Cessna 172S](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172s) (registry code 2072439) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 172S8906 - Airframe hours: 3183 - Engines: Lycoming IO-360-L2A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Charles Mimnaugh - Registered owner: Logan Air Services LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 4, 2010 - Departed: UKI, Ukiah, CA - Destination: PVT, Branscomb, CA - Airport: PVT, Private Airport, runway 03, 3,000 × 50 ft, gravel ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 23; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review October 22, 2010; seat: left; flight hours: 75 total, 69 in this make and model, 19 as pilot in command, 31 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 8,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 50 °F - Altimeter: 30.20 inHg - Observed at: UKI ## 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 20101031050849A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20101031050849A), Oct 31, 2010: Cessna 172S, Branscomb, CA, Substantial damage. On 10/31/2010 Cessna N3542V departed ukiah airport (uki) with two passengers on board and flew to a private dirt airfield Branscomb, CA. The pilot landed the… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 22, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=77723. 1.5 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40339091&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF 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.