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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

July 28, 1993 · Cessna 172M · N13738

Harvest, AL

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 28, 1993
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 serious injuries), 1 uninjured
Location
Harvest, AL
Aircraft
Cessna 172M
Tail Number
N13738
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL93FA136

THE PILOT STATED THAT HE ATTEMPTED TO EXECUTE A LANDING AT THE PRIVATE GRASS AIRFIELD. HE STATED THAT, AFTER TOUCHDOWN, THE AIRCRAFT BEGAN TO PORPOISE AND HE EXECUTED A GO-AROUND. THE AIRCRAFT CRASHED INTO TERRAIN APPROXIMATELY 1/4 MILE FROM THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RUNWAY. A WITNESS STATED THAT HE OBSERVED THE AIRCRAFT DURING THE ATTEMPTED LANDING AND GO-AROUND. HE STATED THAT THE AIRCRAFT APPROACH WAS SO HIGH AND STEEP, THAT HE THOUGHT THE AIRCRAFT WAS GOING TO MAKE A LOW PASS AND CIRCLE TO LAND. THE WITNESS STATED THAT HE OBSERVED THE AIRCRAFT LAND ON THE LAST 1/3 OF THE GRASS RUNWAY, SAW THE TIRES SKID ON THE GRASS MOMENTARILY, AND THEN THE ENGINE SOUNDED AS IF IT WENT TO FULL POWER AND THE AIRCRAFT BECAME AIRBORNE. HE STATED THE NOSE THEN ROSE SLIGHTLY, THE AIRCRAFT BANKED TO THE LEFT, AND IMPACTED THE TERRAIN IN A NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE PILOT'S POORLY PLANNED APPROACH AND THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO EXECUTE A GO-AROUND.

Full Narrative

HISTORY OF FLIGHT On July 28, 1993, at about 0952 central daylight time, a Cessna 172M, N13738 was substantially damaged following a collision with terrain during a go around attempt at Epps Airpark in Harvest, Alabama. The private pilot and one of the passengers received serious injuries, and the other passenger received minor injuries, in the accident. The aircraft was being operated under 14 CFR Part 91 by the pilot. Visual meteorological conditions existed at the time, and an instrument flight plan had been filed for the flight. The flight departed Huntsville, Alabama at about 0930. The pilot reported that he attempted to land at the private sod airfield. The aircraft began to porpoise, and he attempted a go around. He stated that he thought he partially raised the flaps, but the aircraft did not seem to climb. He did not observe any problems with the aircraft engine. A witness stated that he observed the aircraft attempt a landing at the airfield. He stated that the aircraft appeared to be high on the approach, and he wondered if the pilot was just going to survey the runway and return to land. The aircraft continued the approach and did not touch down on the 2600 foot runway until only about one third of the runway remained. He stated that he observed the aircraft tires skid momentarily, and then heard the engine go to high power. The aircraft lifted back off the runway and appeared to be just hanging on the propeller. He observed the nose make a slight pitch up, and then immediately the nose fell and the aircraft rotated left into the terrain. PERSONNEL INFORMATION Mr. Patterson is a private pilot with approximately 343 hours of flight time recorded in his log book. Additional pilot information may be obtained in this report on page 3. AIRCRAFT INFORMATION Aircraft information may be obtained in this report on page 2. METEOROLOGICAL INFORMATION Meteorological information may be obtained in this report on page 4. WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION The aircraft wreckage was located in a cotton field approximately 1/4 mile off the end of Runway 19. The magnetic bearing from the departure end of Runway 19 to the aircraft wreckage was approximately 135 degrees. The left wing tip was crushed from front to rear. The engine cowling and nose of the aircraft were broken off and twisted toward the left side of the aircraft. The propeller showed signs of chordwise scratching and twisting toward low pitch. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION The aircraft wreckage was released to Sergeant F. D. Elswood of the Madison County, Alabama Sheriff's Office on July 29, 1993.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time09:52 CDT
Nearest AirportEpps Airpark (1nm NE)
Runway19
Runway Length2300 ft
Runway Width200 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 172M
Tail NumberN13738
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320 · Reciprocating · 160
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 serious injuries), 1 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious2
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total3
Crew 1Age 60 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind280° @ 7 kt
Visibility6 sm
CeilingNone
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time15:35
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data