On January 2, 1991, a Cessna 172P (registration N9837L) operated by T & G Flying Club was involved in an aviation accident near Rattlesnake Isl, OH. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: THE CFI'S DELAYED DECISION TO EXECUTE A GO-AROUND FROM A LONG LANDING AND SUBSEQUENT FAILURE TO OBTAIN/MAINTAIN FLYING SPEED. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 2 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
A student pilot drowned after a plane crashed into Lake Erie following an aborted landing on a snow-covered runway. The CFI and passenger were uninjured.
Accident Details
The aircraft crashed into Lake Erie after an aborted landing on Runway 27 at Rattlesnake Island, Ohio. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The student pilot drowned, while the flight instructor and a passenger were not injured.
Runway Conditions
The turf runway was 100 feet wide and 1,500 feet long, covered with one inch of snow.
Sequence of Events
After touchdown, the certified flight instructor (CFI) attempted a go-around. However, the airplane failed to maintain a positive climb and struck the water approximately 100 feet beyond the departure end of the runway. The occupants attempted to swim to shore. The water temperature was approximately 35 degrees Fahrenheit.