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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 29, 2004 · Cessna 172M · N5440H

Vernonia, OR

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 29, 2004
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Vernonia, OR
Aircraft
Cessna 172M
Tail Number
N5440H
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
SEA04LA096

The instructor pilot, who was performing a simulated engine out forced landing as a demonstration for his student, allowed the aircraft's airspeed to remain too fast while on final approach to the 2,940 foot grass strip. Because the airspeed was faster than he desired, during the flare, the aircraft began to float further down the runway than where he had planned to touch down. The instructor pilot was unable to get the aircraft to touch down until approximately 1,000 feet down the runway. After touchdown on the wet grass, he attempted to stop the aircraft before it reached the end of the runway, but he was unable to do so before the aircraft went off the far end. After departing the runway, the aircraft collided with a nearby fence post.

NTSB Probable Cause

The instructor pilot's misjudgment of speed and distance and his failure to execute a go-around resulting in an overrun of the runway.

Full Narrative

On May 29, 2004, at 1005 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 172M, N5440H, impacted a fence post after departing the end of a turf/grass runway during a simulated forced landing at Vernonia Municipal Airport, Vernonia, Oregon. The certified flight instructor and his student were not injured, but the aircraft, which is owned and operated by Twin Oaks Airpark, sustained substantial damage. The 14 CFR Part 91 instructional flight, which departed Starks Twin Oaks Airpark one hour earlier, was being operated in visual meteorological conditions. No flight plan had been filed. There was no report of an ELT activation. According to the instructor pilot, who failed to submit a NTSB Form 6120.1/2, he was performing a simulated engine out forced landing as a demonstration for his student. As he neared the approach end of the 2,940 foot grass strip, the aircraft's airspeed was faster than he desired, and during the flare, it began to float further down the runway than where he had planned to touch down. He said that because of the excess airspeed, he was unable to get the aircraft to touch down until approximately 1,000 feet down the runway. After touchdown, he attempted to stop the aircraft before it reached the end of the runway, but since he had landed on the wet grass, he was unable to get it stopped before the aircraft went off the far end. After departing the runway, the aircraft collided with a nearby fence post.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:05 PDT
Nearest AirportVernonia Municipal (0nm)
Runway27
Runway Length2940 ft
Runway Width45 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 172M
Tail NumberN5440H
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
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 38 · Second Class · None
Crew 2Age 57 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind160° @ 5 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 3000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point55 / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data