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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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February 13, 1989 · Cessna 172M · N73309

Sacramento, CA

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 13, 1989
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Sacramento, CA
Aircraft
Cessna 172M
Tail Number
N73309
Operator
Sacramento Aero Service
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX89LA109

THE PLT RPRTD THAT WHILE LANDING ON RWY 34 AT DUSK, THE ACFT TOUCHED DOWN ON THE LAST 1/3 OF THE RWY. THE PLT APPLIED BRAKES TO STOP, THEN DECIDED TO GO AROUND. DRG CLIMB-OUT, THE LANDING GEAR HIT A LIGHT POLE. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT CONTACTED WET/MUDDY TERRAIN ABOUT 1/4 MI FROM THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RWY & WAS EXTENSIVELY DAMAGED. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE PLT HAD MADE 3 ATTEMPTS TO LAND ON THE RWY & WAS ON HIS 3RD GO-AROUND. THE ACFT WAS IN A FULL FLAP CONFIGURATION WHEN THE ACDNT OCCURRED. THE WIND WAS RPRTD TO BE FROM 180 DEG AT 6 KTS.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE PILOT'S SELECTION OF THE WRONG RUNWAY FOR LANDING AND HIS DELAY IN INITIATING A GO-AROUND AFTER LANDING LONG. CONTRIBUTING FACTORS WERE: LIGHT CONDITIONS AS DUSK AND A TAILWIND.

Full Narrative

THE PLT RPRTD THAT WHILE LANDING ON RWY 34 AT DUSK, THE ACFT TOUCHED DOWN ON THE LAST 1/3 OF THE RWY. THE PLT APPLIED BRAKES TO STOP, THEN DECIDED TO GO AROUND. DRG CLIMB-OUT, THE LANDING GEAR HIT A LIGHT POLE. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT CONTACTED WET/MUDDY TERRAIN ABOUT 1/4 MI FROM THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RWY & WAS EXTENSIVELY DAMAGED. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE PLT HAD MADE 3 ATTEMPTS TO LAND ON THE RWY & WAS ON HIS 3RD GO-AROUND. THE ACFT WAS IN A FULL FLAP CONFIGURATION WHEN THE ACDNT OCCURRED. THE WIND WAS RPRTD TO BE FROM 180 DEG AT 6 KTS.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time18:10 PST
Nearest AirportNatomas Field (0nm N)
Runway34
Runway Length2700 ft
Runway Width30 ft
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 172M
Tail NumberN73309
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorSacramento Aero Service
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-E2D · Reciprocating · 150
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 41 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDusk
Wind180° @ 6 kt
Visibility50 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0

Appendix: Source Data