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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 15, 1989 · Cessna 172N · N901ZZ

Ashland, VA

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
January 15, 1989
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Ashland, VA
Aircraft
Cessna 172N
Tail Number
N901ZZ
Operator
Hanover Aviation
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
BFO89LA014

THIS WAS THE PILOT'S FIRST FLIGHT & LANDING IN A CESSNA 172 SINCE HE CHECKED IN THIS MAKE AND MODEL ACFT. THE PLT STATEDHE USED FULL FLAPS AND AN APPROACH SPEED OF 60 KNOTS. AFTER TOUCH DOWN THE ACFT BEGAN TO FLOAT AND YAW LEFT. THE PLT APPLIED FULL POWER TO MAKE A GO-AROUND BUT HE COULD NOT CLIMB OUT OF GROUND EFFECT. THE ACFT WAS GOING TOWARD THE ARPT RAMP SO THE PLT CUT POWER AND THE ACFT TOUCHED DOWN ABOUT 200 FT LEFT OF THE RWY WHERE IT NOSED OVER WHEN THE NOSE GEAR COLLAPSED IN SOFT TERRAIN. THE PLT REPORTED THAT THERE WAS NO MALFUNCTION OF THE ACFT.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE DURING LANDING AND THE FAILURE TO ACHIEVE SUFFICIENT AIRSPEED DURING THE GO-AROUND TO INITIATE A CLIMB.

Full Narrative

THIS WAS THE PILOT'S FIRST FLIGHT & LANDING IN A CESSNA 172 SINCE HE CHECKED IN THIS MAKE AND MODEL ACFT. THE PLT STATEDHE USED FULL FLAPS AND AN APPROACH SPEED OF 60 KNOTS. AFTER TOUCH DOWN THE ACFT BEGAN TO FLOAT AND YAW LEFT. THE PLT APPLIED FULL POWER TO MAKE A GO-AROUND BUT HE COULD NOT CLIMB OUT OF GROUND EFFECT. THE ACFT WAS GOING TOWARD THE ARPT RAMP SO THE PLT CUT POWER AND THE ACFT TOUCHED DOWN ABOUT 200 FT LEFT OF THE RWY WHERE IT NOSED OVER WHEN THE NOSE GEAR COLLAPSED IN SOFT TERRAIN. THE PLT REPORTED THAT THERE WAS NO MALFUNCTION OF THE ACFT.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:45 EST
Nearest AirportHanover County (0nm N)
Runway34
Runway Length4650 ft
Runway Width80 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 172N
Tail NumberN901ZZ
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorHanover Aviation
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-2AD · Reciprocating · 160
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 31 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point55 / 0 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time23:00
Weather SourceWFAC

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Appendix: Source Data