N94HJ

Substantial
None

Cessna 172MS/N: 17265633

Accident Details

Date
Friday, June 27, 2008
NTSB Number
LAX08CA216
Location
Skykomish, WA
Event ID
20080723X01104
Coordinates
47.711112, -121.338890
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
None
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
0
Minor Injuries
0
Uninjured
1
Total Aboard
1

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot's inadequate in-flight planning/decision and failure to execute a go-around when the airplane floated during the flare. Contributing to the accident was the short and wet turf runway surface, which reduced braking action.

Aircraft Information

Registration
Make
CESSNA
Serial Number
17265633
Engine Type
4-cycle
Year Built
1975
Model / ICAO
172MC172
Aircraft Type
Fixed Wing Single Engine
No. of Engines
1
Seats
4
FAA Model
172M

Registered Owner (Current)

Name
GABLE TAYLOR LEE
Address
29 W BRIARWOOD LN
City
NICHOLSON
State / Zip Code
GA 30565-6806
Country
United States

Analysis

The pilot reported that he made his final approach to the 2,050-foot-long turf runway at an airspeed of 65 knots to compensate for gusty wind conditions. He would normally have flown the approach at 55 knots for a short field landing. As the pilot flared the airplane, it started to float down the runway as the gusty wind conditions dissipated when the airplane descended below the tree line. The pilot delayed making a decision to execute a go-around until the airplane was halfway down the runway. At this point, he did not believe the airplane would be able to clear obstacles at the end of the runway and elected to continue the landing. The airplane touched down about 800 feet from the end of the runway. The pilot applied the brakes; however, the wet grass runway surface reduced braking action, and the airplane overran the runway and encountered a ravine. The nose gear collapsed, and the firewall was wrinkled.

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# LAX08CA216