N12839

Substantial
None

CESSNA 172MS/N: 17262303

Accident Details

Date
Saturday, April 30, 2011
NTSB Number
ERA11CA273
Location
Suchez, GA
Event ID
20110501X30633
Coordinates
34.698055, -84.012779
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
None
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
0
Minor Injuries
0
Uninjured
2
Total Aboard
2

Probable Cause and Findings

The failure of the pilot to initiate a go-around and his excessive airspeed on the final landing approach.

Aircraft Information

Registration
N12839
Make
CESSNA
Serial Number
17262303
Engine Type
Reciprocating
Year Built
1973
Model / ICAO
172MC172
Aircraft Type
Fixed Wing Single Engine
No. of Engines
1

Registered Owner (Historical)

Name
HARRIS ROY D
Address
2206 SAWMILL TRACE LN
Status
Deregistered
City
NORTH CHARLESTON
State / Zip Code
SC 29420-8259
Country
United States

Analysis

The pilot stated that he had overflew the airstrip to observe the windsock and noted that the wind favored runway 02, which is a 2,000 foot-long grass runway. He flew an approach to that runway, but executed a go-around because the flight was too high. He remained in the traffic pattern and with the flaps set to 40 degrees, the airplane touched down at a point 800 to 1,000 feet from the approach end of the runway at 90 mph; he typically lands at 70 mph. He later stated that at touchdown, the wind shifted. After touchdown on the grass which was wet, he applied the brakes but the airplane would not stop. Because he was too far down the runway to perform a go-around, he continued on the ground with the brakes applied. The airplane traveled off the end of the runway where the right wing collided with a fence. The airplane then traveled through a ditch and came to rest upright in a field. The pilot reported there was no preimpact failure or malfunction with the airplane or its systems. Postaccident inspection of the airplane and airstrip by a FAA inspector revealed damage to the right wing including the lift strut. Marks on the runway revealed the airplane touched down about 800 feet before the departure end of the runway.

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# ERA11CA273