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NTSB Report
December 10, 1989 · Cessna 172N II · N75912
Middleton, WI
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 10, 1989
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Middleton, WI
Aircraft
Cessna 172N II
Tail Number
N75912
Operator
Howell Hugh B
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI90LA041
AFTER ABOUT 45 MINUTES OF LOCAL FLIGHT TO PRACTICE AIRWORK, THE PILOT RETURNED TO THE AIRPORT, INTENDING TO PRACTICE SHORT-FIELD LANDINGS ON THE TURF RUNWAY. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE USED THE SAME PROCEDURES (10 DEGREES OF FLAPS ABEAM THE THRESHOLD ON DOWNWIND, WITH FULL FLAPS ADDED JUST PRIOR TO TOUCHDOWN TO 'LIFT' THE AIRCRAFT TO THE TOUCHDOWN POINT) FOR THE FIRST TWO LANDINGS, AND THEY WERE UNEVENTFUL. THE PILOT STATED THAT WHILE ON BASE LEG FOR THE THIRD APPROACH, HE JUDGED HE WAS TOO HIGH, SO HE ADDED FLAPS TO 20 DEGREES. WHEN FULL FLAPS WERE ADDED JUST PRIOR TO TOUCHDOWN, THE AIRCRAFT NOSED DOWN AND STRUCK THE GROUND SHORT OF THE END OF THE RUNWAY. THE NOSE GEAR COLLAPSED AND THE AIRCRAFT NOSED OVER, COMING TO REST INVERTED. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE SHOULD HAVE ADDED POWER TO GET HIM TO THE RUNWAY, INSTEAD OF RELYING ON THE FLAPS TO 'LIFT' THE AIRCRAFT TO THE TOUCHDOWN POINT.
NTSB Probable Cause
THE PILOT'S IMPROPER USE OF FLAPS TO PROVIDE LIFT ON SHORT FINAL APPROACH INSTEAD OF APPLYING POWER AND THE FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRCRAFT CONTROL.
Full Narrative
AFTER ABOUT 45 MINUTES OF LOCAL FLIGHT TO PRACTICE AIRWORK, THE PILOT RETURNED TO THE AIRPORT, INTENDING TO PRACTICE SHORT-FIELD LANDINGS ON THE TURF RUNWAY. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE USED THE SAME PROCEDURES (10 DEGREES OF FLAPS ABEAM THE THRESHOLD ON DOWNWIND, WITH FULL FLAPS ADDED JUST PRIOR TO TOUCHDOWN TO 'LIFT' THE AIRCRAFT TO THE TOUCHDOWN POINT) FOR THE FIRST TWO LANDINGS, AND THEY WERE UNEVENTFUL. THE PILOT STATED THAT WHILE ON BASE LEG FOR THE THIRD APPROACH, HE JUDGED HE WAS TOO HIGH, SO HE ADDED FLAPS TO 20 DEGREES. WHEN FULL FLAPS WERE ADDED JUST PRIOR TO TOUCHDOWN, THE AIRCRAFT NOSED DOWN AND STRUCK THE GROUND SHORT OF THE END OF THE RUNWAY. THE NOSE GEAR COLLAPSED AND THE AIRCRAFT NOSED OVER, COMING TO REST INVERTED. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE SHOULD HAVE ADDED POWER TO GET HIM TO THE RUNWAY, INSTEAD OF RELYING ON THE FLAPS TO 'LIFT' THE AIRCRAFT TO THE TOUCHDOWN POINT.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:45 CST
Nearest AirportMOREY (0nm N)
Runway36
Runway Length2230 ft
Runway Width135 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftCessna 172N II
Tail NumberN75912
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorHowell Hugh B
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-H2AD · Reciprocating · 160
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 55 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind10° @ 10 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingOvercast 10000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point28 C / 16 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time18:50
Weather SourceWFAC