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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

January 17, 2011 · Cessna 172A · N7262T

Clarendon, TX

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
January 17, 2011
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Clarendon, TX
Aircraft
Cessna 172A
Tail Number
N7262T
Operator
John a Little
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CEN11LA153

According to the pilot, it was dark when he arrived at his destination. He saw the airport's rotating beacon but was unable to remotely activate the runway lights. He maneuvered the airplane onto the downwind leg of the traffic pattern, extended the flaps and reduced engine power. He thought the airplane was 900 feet above the ground when the airplane impacted terrain approximately 2-1/2 miles east of the airport. At the accident site, the altimeter read 7,500 feet. The terrain was approximately 2,800 feet. There were no mechanical anomalies found with the airplane.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to correctly set the altimeter, which resulted in his erroneous perception that the airplane was at a safe altitude.

Full Narrative

**This report was modified on 3/10/2011. Please see the docket for this accident to see the earlier version** On January 16, 2011, approximately 2000 central standard time, a Cessna 172A, N7262T, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain 1 mile east of Smiley Johnson Municipal/Bass Field (E34), Clarendon, Texas. Visual meteorological conditions (VMC) prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal flight was being conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 without a flight plan. The pilot, the sole occupant on board the airplane, was seriously injured. The cross-country flight originated at Abilene Regional Airport (ABI), Abilene, Texas, approximately at 1820, and was en route to E34. When the pilot did not return as scheduled, family members became concerned. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued an ALNOT (Alert Notice) on January 16 at 2345. The wreckage was found on January 17 approximately 0900. The pilot, who was still strapped to the overturned airplane, was transported to a hospital with a fractured leg and other unspecified injuries. In a hospital, and in follow-up interviews, the pilot said that he had full fuel on board the airplane, and he got a weather briefing prior to departing Abilene for Clarendon. En route weather was good. It was dark when he arrived at Clarendon. He saw the airport's rotating beacon but was unable to activate the runway lights. He turned downwind for landing, lowered the flaps and reduced power. He thought he was 900 feet above the ground when the airplane impacted terrain approximately 2-1/2 miles east of the airport. A FAA inspector who went to the scene reported finding the airplane's altimeter indicating 7,500 feet, whereas terrain at the accident site was approximately 2,800 feet msl (above mean sea level). No other anomalies were found. The pilot was asked on several occasions to complete and return a NTSB Form 6120.1-2, Pilot-Operator Aircraft Accident Report. He refused.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time20:00 CST
Nearest AirportSmiley Johnson Mun/Bass Field (2nm)
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 172A
Tail NumberN7262T
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorJohn a Little
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-300-C · Reciprocating · 145
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 54 · Third Class · Serious

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDark Night
Wind200° @ 5 kt
Visibility7 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point45 C / 41 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time00:52
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data