# NTSB WPR13CA152: Cessna 172N, N5802J, Gila Bend, AZ, March 17, 2013 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: March 17, 2013, 11:50 local (18:50 UTC) - Place: Gila Bend, AZ - Coordinates: 32.956111, -112.670829 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.9561&lon=-112.6708&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR go-around: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report July 18, 2013 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FAA Scottsdale FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 86443 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR13CA152 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/86443/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=86443 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13CA152 ## Probable cause The student pilot's failure to maintain airplane control during an attempted go-around. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: heading/course](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062047): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062047/cases.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 82 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062047/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Student/instructed pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 150 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 14 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=2072434), [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. - [Approach-VFR go-around: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 14 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 1,074 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md) ## Analysis The student pilot reported that while he was attempting to land the airplane, it drifted left, and he decided to execute a go-around. During the go-around, the airplane struck a tree located left of the runway then impacted the ground. Postaccident examination revealed substantial damage to the engine firewall and wings. The student pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The student pilot reported that while attempting to land the airplane, it drifted left and he decided to execute a go-around. During the go-around, the airplane struck a tree located about 178 feet left of the runway, and subsequently impacted the ground. Post accident examination revealed damage to the engine firewall and wings. The student pilot reported no pre-impact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5802J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5802J-2018-01-04), registration cancelled 2018-01-04, S/N 17273839, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172N - 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: 17273839 - Airframe hours: 16114 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320 SERIES 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, February 7, 2013 - Departed: TUS, Tucson, AZ - Destination: E63, Gila Bend, AZ - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: E63, Gila Bend Municipal, runway 22, 5,200 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Student pilot; age 40; injuries: minor; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 41 total, 41 in this make and model, 4 as pilot in command, 34 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 280° at 11 knots, gusting 15 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 27 °F - Altimeter: 29.87 inHg - Observed at: KGXF, 5 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 20130317004709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20130317004709A), Mar 17, 2013: Cessna 172N, Gila Bend, AZ, Substantial damage. [privacy data omitted] (Pilot) was on a cross country solo flight, as a student pilot, with a planned route of ktuc-E63-P08-ktuc. He filed a flight plan and… ## Other investigations on N5802J (1) 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. - [NTSB DEN83LA064](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN83LA064), Feb 19, 1983: Cessna 172N (N5802J), Durango, CO, substantial damage ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 7, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=86443. 1.8 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40390953&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Record of Conversation (item 2, .PDF, 25 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40390954&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation-Master.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.