Aviation Accident Summary ERA13CA218

Davis, WV, USA

Aircraft #1

N96178

CESSNA 172P

Analysis

At the end of a cross-country flight, the pilot entered the traffic pattern for the 3,000-foot-long by 40-foot-wide runway at the residential airpark. The pilot stated that because he was concerned about the houses located near the runway, he approached the runway higher and faster than he normally would. As a result, the airplane touched down near the runway mid-point. When he realized that insufficient distance remained to stop the airplane, the pilot aborted the landing. During the subsequent climb, the pilot heard the stall warning sound and decreased the pitch attitude to gain airspeed. About that time, the airplane struck trees beyond the departure end of the runway and impacted the ground in a nose-down attitude, which resulted in substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures of the airframe or engine what would have precluded normal operation and that his decision to abort the landing was “about 5 seconds too late.”

Factual Information

At the conclusion of the cross-country flight, the pilot entered the traffic pattern for the 3,000-foot long by 40-foot wide runway at the residential airpark. The pilot was concerned by the houses located near the runway, so he approached higher and faster than was customary. The airplane subsequently touched down near the runway mid-point, and realizing that insufficient distance remained to stop the airplane, the pilot aborted the landing. During the climb the pilot heard the stall warning sound and decreased the pitch attitude to gain airspeed. About that time the airplane struck trees beyond the departure end of the runway and subsequently impacted the ground. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures of the airframe or engine what would have precluded normal operation, and that his decision to abort the landing was “about 5 seconds too late.”

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot’s improper glidepath as he approached the runway and his subsequent delayed decision to abort the landing.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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