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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

July 20, 1991 · Cessna 172M · N12958

Little Rock, WA

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 20, 1991
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (5 uninjured)
Location
Little Rock, WA
Aircraft
Cessna 172M
Tail Number
N12958
Operator
C and C Flying Club
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
SEA91LA192

The pilot of the heavily loaded Cessna 172 was flying a full-flap VFR approach, when he attempted to execute a go-around at the midpoint of the 2,500 foot runway. Although the owner's manual calls for full power and 20 degrees of flaps during this maneuver, the pilot initially chose to set 30 degrees of flaps, and added only partial power. When the aircraft began to settle the pilot added full power and raised the flaps to 20 degrees. But, because the airspeed was decreasing and the stall warning horn was sounding, the pilot returned the flaps to the 30 degree position. In this configuration the aircraft, which was within 25 pounds of maximum gross weight, did not accelerate or climb. The pilot then concluded that he would not clear the trees at the end of the airstrip, and was forced to attempt a landing in an adjacent field. During this attempt, directional control was lost and the aircraft impacted the terrain.

NTSB Probable Cause

A DELAYED GO-AROUND, AND AIRSPEED NOT BEING MAINTAINED. FACTORS INCLUDE THE PILOT'S OVERCONFIDENCE IN THE AIRCRAFT'S ABILITY, THE PILOT'S LACK OF TOTAL EXPERIENCE IN THIS TYPE OF OPERATION, MISJUDGED CLEARANCE, AND THE USE OF IMPROPER PROCEDURE.

Full Narrative

THE PILOT OF THE HEAVILY LOADED CESSNA 172 WAS FLYING A FULL-FLAP VFR APPROACH, WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO EXECUTE A GO-AROUND AT THE MIDPOINT OF THE 2,500 FOOT RUNWAY. ALTHOUGH THE OWNER'S MANUAL CALLS FOR FULL POWER AND 20 DEGREES OF FLAPS DURING THIS MANEUVER, THE PILOT INITIALLY CHOSE TO SET 30 DEGREES OF FLAPS, AND ADDED ONLY PARTIAL POWER. WHEN THE AIRCRAFT BEGAN TO SETTLE THE PILOT ADDED FULL POWER AND RAISED THE FLAPS TO 20 DEGREES. BUT, BECAUSE THE AIRSPEED WAS DECREASING AND THE STALL WARNING HORN WAS SOUNDING, THE PILOT RETURNED THE FLAPS TO THE 30 DEGREE POSITION. IN THIS CONFIGURATION THE AIRCRAFT, WHICH WAS WITHIN 25 POUNDS OF MAXIMUM GROSS WEIGHT, DID NOT ACCELERATE OR CLIMB. THE PILOT THEN CONCLUDED THAT HE WOULD NOT CLEAR THE TREES AT THE END OF THE AIRSTRIP, AND WAS FORCED TO ATTEMPT A LANDING IN AN ADJACENT FIELD. DURING THIS ATTEMPT, DIRECTIONAL CONTROL WAS LOST AND THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED THE TERRAIN.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time19:05 PDT
Nearest AirportEvergreen Gun Club (0nm N)
Runway36
Runway Length2500 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 172M
Tail NumberN12958
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorC and C Flying Club
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-E2D · Reciprocating · 150
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (5 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured5
Total5
Crew 1Age 31 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsUnknown
LightDaylight
Wind270° @ 6 kt
Visibility99 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point63 F / 0 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data