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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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July 4, 2003 · Cessna 175 · N7256M

Wessington Spri, SD

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 4, 2003
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Wessington Spri, SD
Aircraft
Cessna 175
Tail Number
N7256M
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
CHI03LA197

The airplane was destroyed by ground impact and post impact fire after hitting a fence during an attempted go-around. The pilot reported that his "touchdown point was a little long" during an attempted landing at a private airstrip. The pilot attempted a go-around. During initial climb the airplanes tires struck a fence and the airplane "went into some brush." A subsequent post impact fire ensued. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions or failures. Wind was 270 degrees at 6 knots.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot not obtaining/maintaining clearance from the barbed wire fence during the go-around. Factors to the accident were the fence, and the brush.

Full Narrative

On July 4, 2003, at 1415 central daylight time, a Cessna 175, N7256M, operated by a private pilot was destroyed when it struck a barbed wire fence and impacted terrain during a go-around on runway 36 (2,500 feet by 180 feet, turf) at a private airstrip near Wessington Springs, South Dakota. A post-impact fire destroyed the airplane. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight was being conducted without a flight plan. The pilot and passenger reported no injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The flight departed Myers Field Airport (27D) near Canby, Minnesota at 1305. In his written statement, the pilot stated: The aircraft departed Canby, MN at 13:05 for Wessington Springs, SD. When landing the touchdown point was a little long needing either braking or going around. When attempting to go around the wheels touched the top of a fence at the end of the runway and the plane went into some brush. The plane was exited and a fire burned it. The pilot reported a total flight time of 178 hours of which 105.7 hours were in the same make and model as the accident aircraft. Recorded weather at Huron Regional Airport, near Huron, South Dakota, located 26 miles north east of Wessington Springs, was: Wind 270 degrees at 6 knots; visibility 10 statute miles; temperature 28 degrees C; dew point 18 degrees C; Altimeter 29.89 inches of mercury. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions or failures.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:15 CDT
Nearest AirportWessington Springs Airport (0nm)
Runway36
Runway Length2500 ft
Runway Width180 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 175
Tail NumberN7256M
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360-A1A · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 48 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind270° @ 6 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point64 F
Altimeter29.88 inHg
Observation Time18:55
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data