N178AF

Substantial
None

CESSNA 172RS/N: 17281177

Accident Details

Date
Saturday, December 27, 2008
NTSB Number
ERA09CA110
Location
Morristown, NJ
Event ID
20081229X70551
Coordinates
40.799446, -74.414718
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
None
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
0
Minor Injuries
0
Uninjured
2
Total Aboard
2

Probable Cause and Findings

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.

Aircraft Information

Registration
Make
CESSNA
Serial Number
17281177
Engine Type
Reciprocating
Year Built
2003
Model / ICAO
172RC72R
Aircraft Type
Fixed Wing Single Engine
No. of Engines
1
Seats
4
FAA Model
172R

Registered Owner (Current)

Name
SOUTHEAST AIRCRAFT LEASING LLC
Address
12220 ATLANTIC BLVD STE 130
City
JACKSONVILLE
State / Zip Code
FL 32225-5826
Country
United States

Analysis

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.

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# ERA09CA110