CESSNA 172 near Bowie, MD — 2017-11-30

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain situational awareness during the approach to land. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s distraction by the instrument panel during the approach.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that, during approach to land in night conditions, he noticed that the airspeed displayed on a newly installed electronic flight instrument was reading slightly different than the airspeed indicator. He added that his altitude judgement was affected "by the scarcity of observable objects in the landing area, the 'black hole' effect, which was likely worsened by the brightness of the [electronic instrument]." When the pilot looked up from the instrument panel, he saw tree branches approaching. The airplane struck the trees and came to rest inverted. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

NTSB coding

• Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT) · Approach-VFR pattern final
• Attention / Monitoring

Evidence available

• Photos
• 2 docket documents

Docket documents2

• Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1form
• Accident Photosphotos

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