Pilot Debrief

CESSNA 172S near Franconia, NH — 2010-09-25

Final reportERA10CA505
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Date
2010-09-25
Location
Franconia, NH, USA
Airport
1B5
Aircraft
CESSNA 172S
Registration
N5295Y
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Landing

Probable cause

The pilot’s delay in initiating a go-around, which resulted in an in-flight collision with a fence.

NTSB narrative

The pilot stated that the purpose of the flight was to fly his relative in the traffic pattern. Shortly after takeoff from runway 36, he remained in the traffic pattern and noticed personnel associated with gliders setting up for launches using runway 18. He was informed that the wind had shifted and opted to land on runway 18. The pilot reported that he made a higher approach than normal due to a glider being positioned at the threshold of runway 18. During landing, the wind shifted and he recognized that the airplane was not slowing. He initiated a go-around and just as the airplane was clearing a fence at the departure end of the runway, it encountered a downdraft and a gust. Despite the pilot applying aft elevator control, the airplane collided with the fence. The pilot continued the go-around procedure and looked outside the airplane noticing damage to a wheel pant; he thought the airplane appeared to be flying normally. Following an uneventful landing on runway 36, the pilot secured the airplane and inspected it for damage. The leading edges of both horizontal stabilizers, the bottom side of the left horizontal stabilizer, and the leading edge of the left elevator exhibited damage.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Loss of control
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have chosen to land on runway 36 instead of attempting to land on runway 18.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 2 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents2

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