N32SFCESSNA 172M2011-03-23 NTSB Accident Report

Substantial
Minor

CESSNA 172MS/N: 17264958

Summary

On March 23, 2011, a Cessna 172M (N32SF) was involved in an accident near Statesville, NC. The accident resulted in 2 minor injuries. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.

The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this accident to be: The certified flight instructor's inadequate remedial action during the go-around, which resulted in a collision with trees.

The certificated flight instructor stated that during an instructional flight, he and his student departed a private grass strip on runway 22. They climbed to 800 feet and turned left toward the airport in order to simulate an engine out emergency. The instructor reduced the power and the student pilot turned back towards the grass strip to land on runway 4. During the final approach, the airplane encountered a tailwind, and in an attempt to go-around the airplane collided with trees at the end of the runway. Examination of the airplane revealed substantial damage to the firewall, fuselage, and wings. The pilots reported no mechanical deficiencies with the airplane. The nearest airport's weather observation system reported at the time of the accident; wind from 210 degrees at 6 knots.

This accident is documented in NTSB report ERA11CA205. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N32SF.

Accident Details

Date
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
NTSB Number
ERA11CA205
Location
Statesville, NC
Event ID
20110323X21446
Coordinates
35.888889, -80.806945
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
Minor
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
0
Minor Injuries
2
Uninjured
0
Total Aboard
2

Probable Cause and Findings

The certified flight instructor's inadequate remedial action during the go-around, which resulted in a collision with trees.

Aircraft Information

Registration
Make
CESSNA
Serial Number
17264958
Engine Type
Reciprocating
Year Built
1975
Model / ICAO
172MC172
Aircraft Type
Fixed Wing Single Engine
No. of Engines
1

Registered Owner (Historical)

Name
COMPASS 21 INC
Address
PO BOX 307
Status
Deregistered
City
SHELBY
State / Zip Code
NC 28151-0307
Country
United States

Analysis

The certificated flight instructor stated that during an instructional flight, he and his student departed a private grass strip on runway 22. They climbed to 800 feet and turned left toward the airport in order to simulate an engine out emergency. The instructor reduced the power and the student pilot turned back towards the grass strip to land on runway 4. During the final approach, the airplane encountered a tailwind, and in an attempt to go-around the airplane collided with trees at the end of the runway. Examination of the airplane revealed substantial damage to the firewall, fuselage, and wings. The pilots reported no mechanical deficiencies with the airplane. The nearest airport's weather observation system reported at the time of the accident; wind from 210 degrees at 6 knots.

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# ERA11CA205