This August 2007 accident report is provided by the National Transportation Safety Board. Published as an educational tool, it is intended to help pilots learn from the misfortunes of others.
Aircraft: Cessna 172.
Location: Charlotte, N.C.
Injuries: 2 Minor.
Aircraft damage: Substantial.
What reportedly happened: The pilot and a pilot-rated passenger were attempting to land. The passenger stated that, in his opinion, the airplane was high and fast when the pilot turned on to final approach. The airplane was configured with full flaps, but the airplane was still high. The pilot initiated a slip to the left to lose altitude. The left wing hit a tree about 10 feet in the air and the airplane came to rest on the ground left of the runway. The airplane sustained structural damage to both wings and the airframe.
The pilot flying suffered a concussion and reported he has no recall of the events associated with the accident.
Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control while landing.
