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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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NTSB Report

June 30, 1997 · Cessna 172P · N97613

Tioga, PA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 30, 1997
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury), 3 uninjured
Location
Tioga, PA
Aircraft
Cessna 172P
Tail Number
N97613
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
NYC97LA131

After takeoff, the airspeed indicator failed, and the pilot diverted to another airport. The pilot removed mud from the pitot tube and refueled the airplane. He then departed with the passengers to return to the original point of departure, and while en route the airspeed indicator failed again. According to the pilot, '...As (the destination) has 50ft obstacle on one end, I elected to land downwind...I made a low and as slow an approach...Upon landing I found I was too fast and applied full brakes on uneven terrain. Front wheel broke off and I held the airplane up...When the front came down, the gear post dug into the strip and the aircraft flipped on it's back...' Examination of the airplane and the grass airstrip revealed that the airplane touched down on the first one-third of the runway. The airplane bounced and touched down about 1,000 feet from the approach end of the runway. It then became airborne again, touched down 500 feet later, and the nose wheel dug into the dirt and the airplane nosed over.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's improper inflight decision to land downwind with an inoperative airspeed indicator, and his improper landing flare.

Full Narrative

On June 30, 1997, at 1730 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172P, N97613, was substantially damaged during a hard landing at the Bear Crik Airstrip (42PA), Tioga, Pennsylvania. The certificated private pilot and two passengers were not injured, while a third passenger received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight that departed Wellsboro, Pennsylvania, about 1715. No flight plan had been filed for the flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. In the NTSB Form 6120.1/2, the pilot stated that he departed 42PA with three passengers for a local flight. After takeoff, the airspeed indicator failed, and he diverted to the Grand Canyon State Airport, Wellsboro. The pilot removed mud from the pitot tube and refueled the airplane. He then departed with the passengers for 42PA, and en route, the airspeed indicator failed again. The pilot further stated: "...As 42PA has 50ft obstacle on one end, I elected to land downwind...I made a low and as slow an approach...Upon landing I found I was to fast and applied full brakes on uneven terrain. Front wheel broke off and I held the airplane up...When the front came down, the gear post dug into the strip and the aircraft flipped on it's back..." Examination of the airplane and the grass strip by a Federal Aviation Administration Inspector revealed that the airplane touched down in the first one third of the runway. The Inspector's report stated that the airplane bounced and touched down about 1,000 feet from the approach end of the runway. It then became airborne again, touched down 500 feet later, and the nose wheel dug into the dirt and the airplane nosed over. Examination of the pitot tube by the FAA Inspector revealed that it was blocked with mud. The published airport data for 42PA listed runway 3/21, as 1,600 feet long, with no obstacles at either end of the runway. An airport 18 miles northeast of 42PA reported the winds from 170 degrees at 9 knots.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:30 EDT
Nearest AirportBear Crik Airstrip (0nm)
Runway3
Runway Length1600 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 172P
Tail NumberN97613
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360-A4M · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury), 3 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured3
Total4
Crew 1Age 43 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind170° @ 9 kt
Visibility25 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point63 F
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time20:50
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data