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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

January 2, 1991 · Cessna 172P · N9837L

Rattlesnake Isl, OH

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
January 2, 1991
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality), 2 uninjured
Location
Rattlesnake Isl, OH
Aircraft
Cessna 172P
Tail Number
N9837L
Operator
T & G Flying Club
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
NYC91FA055

THE AIRCRAFT CRASHED INTO LAKE ERIE AFTER AN ABORTED LANDING ON RUNWAY 27 AT RATTLESNAKE ISLAND, OH. THE AIRPLANE RECEIVED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE. THE STUDENT PILOT DROWNED, AND THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR AND PASSENGER WERE NOT INJURED. THE TURF RUNWAY WAS 100 FEET WIDE, 1500 FEET LONG, AND WAS COVERED WITH ONE INCH OF SNOW. AFTER TOUCHDOWN, THE CFI ATTEMPTED A GO-AROUND; HOWEVER, THE AIRPLANE FAILED TO MAINTAIN A POSITIVE CLIMB AND STRUCK THE WATER APPROXIMATELY 100 FEET BEYOND THE DEPARTURE END. THE OCCUPANTS ATTEMPTED TO SWIM TO SHORE. THE WATER TEMPERATURE WAS APPROXIMATELY 35 DEGREES F.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE CFI'S DELAYED DECISION TO EXECUTE A GO-AROUND FROM A LONG LANDING AND SUBSEQUENT FAILURE TO OBTAIN/MAINTAIN FLYING SPEED.

Full Narrative

THE AIRCRAFT CRASHED INTO LAKE ERIE AFTER AN ABORTED LANDING ON RUNWAY 27 AT RATTLESNAKE ISLAND, OH. THE AIRPLANE RECEIVED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE. THE STUDENT PILOT DROWNED, AND THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR AND PASSENGER WERE NOT INJURED. THE TURF RUNWAY WAS 100 FEET WIDE, 1500 FEET LONG, AND WAS COVERED WITH ONE INCH OF SNOW. AFTER TOUCHDOWN, THE CFI ATTEMPTED A GO-AROUND; HOWEVER, THE AIRPLANE FAILED TO MAINTAIN A POSITIVE CLIMB AND STRUCK THE WATER APPROXIMATELY 100 FEET BEYOND THE DEPARTURE END. THE OCCUPANTS ATTEMPTED TO SWIM TO SHORE. THE WATER TEMPERATURE WAS APPROXIMATELY 35 DEGREES F.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:55 EST
Nearest AirportRattlesnake Island (0nm WSW)
Runway27
Runway Length1500 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 172P
Tail NumberN9837L
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorT & G Flying Club
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-D2J · Reciprocating · 160
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality), 2 uninjured
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total3
Crew 1Age 24 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind315° @ 8 kt
Visibility5 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 2100 ft
Temperature / Dew Point32 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

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Appendix: Source Data