N6371D

Substantial
None

CESSNA 172NS/N: 17272757

Accident Details

Date
Monday, May 31, 2010
NTSB Number
ERA10CA289
Location
Sterling, MA
Event ID
20100531X13750
Coordinates
42.424167, -71.791114
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
None
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
0
Minor Injuries
0
Uninjured
3
Total Aboard
3

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot’s decision to not continue with the go-around, which resulted in a collision with trees. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s distraction due to the passenger’s panicked condition.

Aircraft Information

Registration
N6371D
Make
CESSNA
Serial Number
17272757
Engine Type
Reciprocating
Model / ICAO
172NC172
Aircraft Type
Fixed Wing Single Engine
No. of Engines
1

Registered Owner (Historical)

Name
SALE REPORTED
Address
9935 WESTVILLE RD # 14
Status
Deregistered
City
WYOMING
State / Zip Code
DE 19934-2317
Country
United States

Analysis

The pilot entered the traffic pattern for runway 34 based on prevailing winds. She observed the wind sock change to favor runway 16, so she began to maneuver the airplane for a runway 16 landing. The winds again changed direction to favor runway 34. While on final approach for runway 34, she found herself too high over the touchdown zone, so she executed a go-around. A passenger in the right seat panicked and started screaming, so the pilot discontinued the go-around, closed the throttle, and the airplane settled into the trees past the runway end. Structural damage to the wings and fuselage resulted. The pilot reported no mechanical anomalies with 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# ERA10CA289