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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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March 7, 1987 · Cessna 172M · N61639

Lexington, NC

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 7, 1987
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Lexington, NC
Aircraft
Cessna 172M
Tail Number
N61639
Operator
Fred Smith Enterprises
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL87LA080

THE PLT REPORTED THAT HE HAD TRANSITIONED TO A VISUAL APPROACH, FOLLOWING A SIMULATED RADAR APPROACH TO THE RWY USING VECTORS AND DESCENT INFO SUPPLIED BY AN INSTRUMENT-RATED SAFETY PLT IN THE RT SEAT. THE SAFETY PLT WAS THE PLT'S FORMER INSTRUCTOR. THE PLT TOLD THE SAFETY PLT THAT HE FELT THAT THE ACFT WAS TOO HIGH TO LAND, AND THAT A GO-AROUND MIGHT BE ADVISABLE. THE SAFETY PLT TOLD HIM THAT THERE WAS ENOUGH ROOM TO LAND AND THE PLT CONTINUED THE DESCENT. THE PLT REPORTED THAT HE STILL HAD INTENTIONS OF GOING AROUND WHEN THE SAFETY PLT LOWERED THE FLAPS ABOUT 1/3 OF THE WAY DOWN THE RWY, AT ABOUT 25 FT AGL. THE ACFT SUBSEQUENTLY TOUCHED DOWN SLIGHTLY OVER HALFWAY DOWN THE 3300 FOOT RWY, AND OVERRAN THE END.

Full Narrative

THE PLT REPORTED THAT HE HAD TRANSITIONED TO A VISUAL APPROACH, FOLLOWING A SIMULATED RADAR APPROACH TO THE RWY USING VECTORS AND DESCENT INFO SUPPLIED BY AN INSTRUMENT-RATED SAFETY PLT IN THE RT SEAT. THE SAFETY PLT WAS THE PLT'S FORMER INSTRUCTOR. THE PLT TOLD THE SAFETY PLT THAT HE FELT THAT THE ACFT WAS TOO HIGH TO LAND, AND THAT A GO-AROUND MIGHT BE ADVISABLE. THE SAFETY PLT TOLD HIM THAT THERE WAS ENOUGH ROOM TO LAND AND THE PLT CONTINUED THE DESCENT. THE PLT REPORTED THAT HE STILL HAD INTENTIONS OF GOING AROUND WHEN THE SAFETY PLT LOWERED THE FLAPS ABOUT 1/3 OF THE WAY DOWN THE RWY, AT ABOUT 25 FT AGL. THE ACFT SUBSEQUENTLY TOUCHED DOWN SLIGHTLY OVER HALFWAY DOWN THE 3300 FOOT RWY, AND OVERRAN THE END.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:15 EST
Nearest AirportLexington Municipal (0nm N)
Runway26
Runway Length2300 ft
Runway Width65 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 172M
Tail NumberN61639
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorFred Smith Enterprises
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 36 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind330° @ 8 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point64 F / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data