Cessna 172 N20043

Summary

On 29 June 1998 at about 16:30 local time, a Cessna 172 registered N20043 was involved in an accident near Flushing, Michigan, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

29 June 1998 at 16:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Flushing, Michigan, United States

Nearest airport

Dalton Airport (3DA)

Coordinates

Not recorded

Aircraft

Cessna 172

Registration

N20043

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Pontiac → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CHI98LA225

2 people had minor injuries.

was a delayed go-around maneuver by the pilot. Factors associated with this accident were the pilot misjudging his final approach altitude and glide path, having inadequate altitude to clear the trees at the end of the runway, and inadequate training on how to fly a final approach and make a landing on the first quarter of the runway.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

A witness reported seeing the airplane approach the runway threshold at a high rate of speed and altitude at an approximate 45-degree descent angle. According to the witness, the airplane pitched up steeply and eventually level off and '...flying at a safe speed.' Other witnesses saw the airplane strike the trees as past near their home. The pilot said the airplane was in ground affect and nearing trees at the runway s departure end. He said he added full power and retracted his flaps until he finished his 5-count. He said the airplane s tires collided with the tress and shortly after that, the airplane stalled and rolled left, descending vertically into the roof of a shed. The pilot said he uses the airspeed indicator and altimeter to help him judge the glide path to landing. He said he aims the airplane s nose at the runway aiming point and flares when the airplane approach is stabilized. Interviews with 2 of the pilots flight instructors revealed they were unable to explain how to to fly a final approach then land the airplane on the first quarter of the runway.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.