# NTSB WPR14LA235: Cessna 172N, N5589E, Page, AZ, June 8, 2014 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 7, 2014, 17:31 local (Jun 8, 2014, 00:31 UTC) - Place: Page, AZ - Coordinates: 36.925834, -111.442222 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.9258&lon=-111.4422&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR go-around: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 15, 2014 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 89383 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR14LA235 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/89383/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89383 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14LA235 ## Probable cause The pilot’s improper landing flare in gusting wind conditions, his inadequate recovery from the subsequent bounced landing, and his decision to perform a go-around with insufficient airspeed to climb. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · 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 · Contributed to outcome; 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) - [Performance/control parameters: landing flare](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 38 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 1,285 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md) - [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 29 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 41 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Contributed to outcome (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 28 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/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: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 18 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR go-around: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 45 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 134 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, while landing the airplane in gusting wind conditions, he approached the runway at 60 knots and that, when he flared the airplane, it started to drift to the side of the runway. When the main landing gear touched down, a gust of wind lifted the airplane off the runway. The airplane touched down again and then bounced too high to continue the landing. The pilot subsequently initiated a go-around; the airplane was at full power with an airspeed of less than 43 knots. He did not raise the flaps because he was afraid the airplane would descend. The airplane started a slow descent, and the stall warning horn sounded. The airplane subsequently struck a small tree and then the ground, which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage and wings. The wind at the airport was from 190 degrees at 13 knots gusting to 23 knots at the time of the accident. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative On June 7, 2014, about 1731 mountain standard time, a Cessna 172N airplane, N5589E, was substantially damaged when it impacted a tree and terrain during an aborted landing at the Page Municipal Airport (KPGA), Page, Arizona. The airplane was being operated by American Aviation Inc., Page, as a visual flight rules (VFR), local area scenic flight, under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 135. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, the pilot and the two passengers were not injured. The flight departed Page about 1650. The airport's automated weather reporting station was reporting wind at 190 degrees true, at 13 knots with gusts to 23 knots. Due to the wind conditions, the pilot elected to use runway 25, a short cross runway that is 2,201 feet long and 75 feet wide for landing, as opposed to the main runway that is 5,950 feet long and 150 feet wide. In a written statement to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC) dated June 17, the pilot reported that he entered a 3 mile straight-in approach for runway 25. He approached the runway at 60 knots airspeed in gusting wind conditions, and that when he flared, the airplane started to drift toward the side of the runway. When the main landing gear touched down, a gust of wind lifted the airplane off the runway. He reported that he first touched down near runway 25's intersection with runway 15/33, which is about 700 feet from the threshold of runway 25. When the airplane touched down again, it bounced back into the air, this time too high to continue the landing, and the pilot initiated a go-around. He reported that the airplane engine was at full power, the airplane was in a level attitude, with the wings level, and the airspeed was indicating less than 43 knots. He did not raise the flaps or bank the airplane, for fear of the airplane sinking. The airplane started a slow descent, and he attempted to dodge houses and trees. With the stall warning horn sounding, the airplane struck a small tree, and then the ground. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. He reported that he thought the failure to climb was due to the local wind conditions. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and wings. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5589E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5589E-2015-08-26), registration cancelled 2015-08-26, S/N 17271894, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172N (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: 17271894 - Year built: 1978 - Airframe hours: 13392 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320 SERIES 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 135 - Operator: American Aviation Inc - Registered owner: American Aviation Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 25, 2014 - Departed: PGA, PAGE, AZ - Destination: PGA, PAGE, AZ - Airport: PGA, Page Muni, runway 25, 2,201 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 41; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 712 total, 143 in this make and model, 657 as pilot in command, 143 in the last 90 days, 75 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 190° at 13 knots, gusting 23 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 21 °F - Altimeter: 29.79 inHg - Observed at: KPGA ## 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 20140607008249A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140607008249A), Jun 7, 2014: Cessna 172N, Page, AZ, Substantial damage. N5589E, a Cessna aircraft model CE-172N returning from a part 91 sight seeing flight, experienced a severe wind shift while on final approach to runway 25 at… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 6, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89383. 824 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 824 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40417405&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-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.