N96178

Substantial
Serious

CESSNA 172PS/N: 17276033

Accident Details

Date
Friday, April 26, 2013
NTSB Number
ERA13CA218
Location
Davis, WV
Event ID
20130428X50819
Coordinates
39.055000, -79.431388
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
Serious
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
3
Minor Injuries
0
Uninjured
0
Total Aboard
3

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot’s improper glidepath as he approached the runway and his subsequent delayed decision to abort the landing.

Aircraft Information

Registration
N96178
Make
CESSNA
Serial Number
17276033
Engine Type
Reciprocating
Year Built
1983
Model / ICAO
172PC172
Aircraft Type
Fixed Wing Single Engine
No. of Engines
1

Registered Owner (Historical)

Name
SALE REPORTED
Address
6000 DOUGLAS DR N
Status
Deregistered
City
CRYSTAL
State / Zip Code
MN 55429-2314
Country
United States

Analysis

At the conclusion of the cross-country flight, the pilot entered the traffic pattern for the 3,000-foot long by 40-foot wide runway at the residential airpark. The pilot was concerned by the houses located near the runway, so he approached higher and faster than was customary. The airplane subsequently touched down near the runway mid-point, and realizing that insufficient distance remained to stop the airplane, the pilot aborted the landing. During the climb the pilot heard the stall warning sound and decreased the pitch attitude to gain airspeed. About that time the airplane struck trees beyond the departure end of the runway and subsequently impacted the ground. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures of the airframe or engine what would have precluded normal operation, and that his decision to abort the landing was “about 5 seconds too late.”

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# ERA13CA218