Pilot Debrief

CESSNA 172S near Groton, CT — 2008-11-19

Final reportERA09LA064
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Date
2008-11-19
Location
Groton, CT, USA
Airport
GON
Aircraft
CESSNA 172S
Registration
N2337F
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Approach

Probable cause

The student pilot’s failure to maintain a proper descent profile to avoid trees during the night visual approach and the flight instructor’s inadequate oversight.

NTSB narrative

The student pilot, sitting in the left seat, was flying the final approach segment for his third full-stop night visual landing when he lost sight of the runway and the airplane impacted trees. The flight instructor stated that he was looking at the airspeed indicator, and when he looked back up he saw only trees. The trees were “generally aligned” with the runway, which was 4,000 feet long and 100 feet wide, with the threshold displaced 205 feet due to the trees. A 3.5-degree Precision Approach Path Indicator (PAPI) normally provided visual glideslope information; however, a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) was in effect that indicated it was out of service due to tree growth. Neither pilot indicated that he was relying upon the PAPI for correct glideslope information and neither pilot reported any preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Controlled flight into terrain
First missed decision gate
Instructor could have aborted the approach upon losing sight of the runway.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 7 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents7

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