Casualties unknown

Pilot Reports Brakes Ineffective on Wet Grass, Nose Over After Runway Excursion (N172RQ)

Freeport, PA, US

On August 21, 1988, a Cessna 172P (registration N172RQ) operated by Steel City Aviation was involved in an aviation accident near Freeport, PA. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 4 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-06-10Data APIEditorial standards

A pilot reported touching down midfield on a wet grass runway; brakes were ineffective, causing the aircraft to go off the end and nose over after encountering vegetation.

Incident Overview

A pilot reported that the aircraft landed on a 2,268-foot-long sod strip, a location where the pilot had previously landed on several occasions. During the approach, there was a right crosswind of about 6 knots. The aircraft was too high on the first two approaches, and the pilot performed go-arounds.

Third Approach and Landing

On the third approach, the aircraft touched down at midfield. The pilot applied the brakes, but they were ineffective on the wet grass. Consequently, the aircraft went off the end of the runway and continued down a slope.

Nose Over

A short way down the slope, the aircraft encountered tall vegetation and nosed over.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001213X26693. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.