# NTSB WPR21LA193: Cessna 172R, N47AF, Chandler, AZ, May 11, 2021 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: May 10, 2021, 20:10 local (May 11, 2021, 03:10 UTC) - Place: Chandler, AZ - Coordinates: 33.298771, -111.91578 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.2988&lon=-111.9158&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: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 103083 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR21LA193 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/103083/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=103083 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA193 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to locate the airport which resulted in an approach to a road and subsequent collision with powerlines during a go-around in low light conditions. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Info processing/decision: identification/recognition](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172R, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510/cases.md?model=2072401), [All aircraft, 559 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510/cases.md) - [Light condition: low light](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036015): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on personnel; cases with it: [Cessna 172R, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036015/cases.md?model=2072401), [All aircraft, 36 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036015/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: wire](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on equipment (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172R, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md?model=2072401), [All aircraft, 588 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/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 172R, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md?model=2072401), [All aircraft, 1,074 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, she was on approach to land at a private airpark while nearing the end of civil twilight. She keyed the radio microphone multiple times during the approach but was unsuccessful to activate the airpark’s high intensity lighting. During the approach she initiated a go around when she realized that she had aligned with a road instead of the runway. During the go around, the airplane struck powerlines, impacted terrain, and came to rest nose down against a fence. The right wing and the fuselage were substantially damaged. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. Members of the airpark added that shortly after the accident, the airpark’s runway lights were activated and verified to be operational. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N47AF](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N47AF), registered now, S/N 17281041, built 2001 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172R (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [Cessna 172R](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172r) (registry code 2072401) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17281041 - Year built: 2001 - Airframe hours: 19939.3 - Engines: Lycoming IO-360-L2A 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Other work use, Part 91 - Operator: Ameriflyers Of Texas Inc - Registered owner: Ameriflyers Of Texas Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 25, 2021 - Departed: KROW, Roswell, NM - Destination: P19, Chandler, AZ - Airport: P19, Stellar Airpark, runway 35, 4,416 × 80 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Stall warning system, ADS-B, Electronic flight bag or handheld device ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 23; injuries: serious; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 1, 2019; seat: left; flight hours: 1,300 total, 1,003 in this make and model, 1,173 as pilot in command, 157 in the last 90 days, 42 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night - Wind: 260° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 16 °F - Altimeter: 29.75 inHg - Observed at: KCHD, 5 nm away - METAR: KCHD 110247Z 26008KT 10SM SKC 31/M09 A2975 ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 1, 2021, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=103083. 1.7 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 1.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12385931&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120%20193_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Memorandum for record airpark 193 (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 124 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12388832&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=MEMORANDUM%20FOR%20RECORD%20193-Rel.pdf - Accident photo (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 95 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12386673&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Accident%20Photo%20193-Rel.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.