Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot's misjudged approach airspeed and distance which resulted in an undershoot of the runway and collision with terrain.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
On May 13, 2003, at 1035 central daylight time, a Cessna 172, N1748F, registered to and operated by Douglass Co LLC, collided with the ground short of the runway surface while attempting a landing at the Fayette County Airport, in Somerville, Tennessee. The personal flight operated under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 with no flight plan filed. Visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The airplane was substantially damaged and the private pilot was not injured. The flight departed Somerville, Tennessee at 1020, on May 13, 2003.
According to the pilot, while on approach to land on runway 01, the airplane touched down 10 feet short of the paved runway and the propeller struck a berm. Since repairs were underway from the edge of the runway-paved surface, several feet of dirt had been removed on the approach end of the runway. The pilot reported that the nose wheel collapsed and the plane skidded in and stopped about 50 feet down the runway.
Examination of the airplane showed a buckled fuselage, nose gear damage, firewall and propeller damage. No mechanical problems were revealed during the post-accident examination of the airplane.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# ATL03LA092