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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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July 20, 1996 · Cessna 172 · N7101T

Emily, MN

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 20, 1996
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Emily, MN
Aircraft
Cessna 172
Tail Number
N7101T
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
CHI96LA249

During landing, the airplane's left main landing gear hit the roof of a stock car that had been parked on the access road to a grass airstrip. After impacting the car, the airplane landed hard, and the landing gear collapsed. The airplane skidded off the runway, and hit a tree. The pilot reported he saw automobiles parked on the grass airstrip and thought he had enough room to land. Also, he reported that the runway was lined with trees and that the airplane dropped 'quit quickly' when the airplane got below the tree line. The entire length of the 2,000' grass runway was available beyond where the automobiles were parked.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot misjudged his altitude and distance to the runway on final approach, and he failed to maintain obstacle clearance during landing. A factor relating to the accident was: the parked car.

Full Narrative

On July 20, 1996, at 1700 central daylight time, a Cessna 172, N7101T, was destroyed. During landing, the airplane's left main landing gear hit the roof of a stock car that had been parked on an access road to a grass airstrip. After impacting the car, the airplane landed hard and the landing gear collapsed. The airplane skidded off the runway and hit a tree. The private pilot and one passenger reported no injuries. The 14 CFR Part 91 flight had departed from Willmar, Minnesota, and was returning to a private airfield near Emily, Minnesota. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The pilot reported that he saw the parked cars at the end of the 2,000 foot grass runway and thought he had enough room to land. He reported that the runway was lined with trees and that the airplane dropped "quit quickly" when the airplane got below the tree line. An Airworthiness Inspector from the Federal Aviation Administration reported that the automobiles were parked on the airport access road. The entire 2,000 feet of grass runway was available beyond where the automobiles were parked.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:00 CDT
Nearest AirportEmily Airport (0nm)
Runway9
Runway Length2000 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 172
Tail NumberN7101T
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-300 · Reciprocating · 145
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 73 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind170° @ 9 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point54
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time21:55
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data