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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

December 27, 2008 · Cessna 172R · N178AF

Morristown, NJ

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 27, 2008
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Morristown, NJ
Aircraft
Cessna 172R
Tail Number
N178AF
Operator
American Flyers
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ERA09CA110

The instructor and his pilot-rated student were conducting instrument work; reported weather included a vertical visibility of 200 feet and 1/4 mile visibility in fog. After the first instrument landing system approach with the student at the controls, the runway was not visually acquired at the decision height and a missed approach was performed. The instructor took the controls for the second approach and asked the student to monitor the radios and look for the runway environment. At 400 feet above ground level, the instructor saw the runway below him, but the airplane was "slightly high on the glideslope and a little fast..." He elected to attempt a landing, reducing the throttle to idle and adding full flaps. The airplane touched down long and the instructor was unable to stop the airplane on the remaining runway. The airplane collided with a snow bank, resulting in structural damage to the fuselage.

NTSB Probable Cause

The flight instructor's failure to execute a missed approach when insufficient runway remained for landing. Contributing to the accident were the low ceiling and visibility conditions.

Full Narrative

The instructor and his pilot-rated student were conducting instrument work; reported weather included a vertical visibility of 200 feet and 1/4 mile visibility in fog. After the first instrument landing system approach with the student at the controls, the runway was not visually acquired at the decision height and a missed approach was performed. The instructor took the controls for the second approach and asked the student to monitor the radios and look for the runway environment. At 400 feet above ground level, the instructor saw the runway below him, but the airplane was "slightly high on the glideslope and a little fast..." He elected to attempt a landing, reducing the throttle to idle and adding full flaps. The airplane touched down long and the instructor was unable to stop the airplane on the remaining runway. The airplane collided with a snow bank, resulting in structural damage to the fuselage.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:30 EST
Nearest AirportMorristown Municipal (0nm)
Runway23
Runway Length5999 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Flight Plan ActivatedYes
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 172R
Tail NumberN178AF
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorAmerican Flyers
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-360-L2A · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 27 · First Class · None
Crew 2Age 23 · First Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsIMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility0.2 sm
CeilingVertical visibility 200 ft
Temperature / Dew Point41 C / 41 C
Altimeter30.23 inHg
Observation Time20:50
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data