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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

October 25, 1998 · Cessna 172M · N61648

Cumberland, MD

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 25, 1998
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Cumberland, MD
Aircraft
Cessna 172M
Tail Number
N61648
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
NYC99LA021

The airplane landed long and fast, and approaching the end of the runway, the pilot saw what appeared to be a ditch. He pulled full back on the yoke to avoid shearing off the nose wheel, and the airplane went airborne for about 100 feet. When the airplane came back down, it landed on the left and nose landing gear, and the propeller and left wing struck the ground. The airplane then bounced down on the right landing gear, and the right wing struck the ground. The pilot wrote that he 'could have and should have gone around rather than attempting to force plane down in [the] length remaining after touchdown.'

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's decision to land, instead of performing a go-around.

Full Narrative

On October 25, 1998, about 1000 Eastern Standard Time, a Cessna 172M, N61648, was substantially damaged during landing at Mexico Farms Airfield (1W3), Cumberland, Maryland. The certificated private pilot was uninjured, and visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. No flight plan was filed for the flight between Washington County Regional Airport (HGR), Hagerstown, Maryland, and Mexico Farms. The personal flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to the pilot's written statement, the airplane was high on the approach, so he increased angle of descent instead of using full flaps or slipping. The airplane "landed long and hot," and approaching the end of the runway, the pilot saw what appeared to be a ditch. He pulled full back on the yoke to avoid shearing off the nose wheel, and the airplane became airborne for about 100 feet. When the airplane came back down, it initially landed on the left and nose landing gear, and the propeller and left wing struck the ground. The airplane then bounced down on the right landing gear, and the right wing struck the ground. The pilot wrote that he "could have and should have gone around rather than attempting to force plane down in [the] length remaining after touchdown."

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:00 EST
Nearest AirportMexico Farms (0nm)
Runway27
Runway Length2120 ft
Runway Width190 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 172M
Tail NumberN61648
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-E2D · Reciprocating · 150
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 71 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind280° @ 8 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point61 F / 34 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time14:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data