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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

May 10, 2002 · Cessna 172 · N172EF

Norwood, MA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 10, 2002
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Norwood, MA
Aircraft
Cessna 172
Tail Number
N172EF
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
IAD02LA050

During a supervised solo flight, the student pilot was in the traffic pattern preparing for his fourth landing when the control tower advised of variable winds, which included a crosswind. The student pilot described the wind conditions as "gusty". When the airplane was about to touchdown on runway 28, it ballooned, then bounced, and drifted to the right. Then, the nose pitched up abruptly, and the right wing dropped. The airplane then veered to the right, toward a tree line. The student pilot applied full power, leveled the wings, and the airplane began to climb. However, there was not enough altitude to clear the tree tops. Weather at the airport included winds from 300 degrees at 10 knots, gusting to 17 knots.

NTSB Probable Cause

The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during an aborted landing.

Full Narrative

On May 10, 2002, at 1245 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172, N172EF, was substantially damaged when it collided with trees during an aborted landing at Norwood Municipal Airport (OWD), Norwood, Massachusetts. The student pilot sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the local solo instructional flight, conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to the student pilot, he had completed three landings on runway 28 as part of a supervised solo flight. While on downwind for the fourth landing, the control tower advised airport traffic of variable winds, which included a crosswind component. The student pilot described the variable wind conditions as "gusty". The student pilot also stated that when the airplane's main landing gear touched down on the runway, the airplane ballooned, then bounced, and drifted to the right. When he applied full power to go around, the "right wing dropped. Leveled wings and continued climbing. Removed 10 degrees of flaps and settled into tops of trees 100 feet right of runway." The student pilot's flight instructor witnessed the accident. According to the instructor, the airplane ballooned in the flare, sank, then abruptly pitched nose-up. Then, the right wing dropped and the airplane veered to the right of the runway, toward the tree line. The airplane's wings then leveled and the airplane started to climb, but there was not enough altitude to clear the tree tops. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector performed an on-scene examination of the airplane. According to the inspector, the airplane sustained substantial damage to the firewall, wings, and tail control surfaces. The pilot reported a total of 54 flight hours, of which, 14 hours were in make and model. He also reported that there were no mechanical deficiencies. Weather reported at Norwood Airport, at 1200, included winds from 300 degrees at 10 knots gusting to 17 knots, visibility 10 statute miles, and clear skies.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:45 EDT
Nearest AirportNorwood Municipal (0nm)
Runway28
Runway Length4001 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 172
Tail NumberN172EF
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-360-L2A · Reciprocating · 160
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 46 · Third Class · Minor

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind300° @ 10 kt, gusting 17 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point70 F / 48
Altimeter29.97 inHg
Observation Time16:00
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data