Casualties unknown

Pilot Aborts Landing After Bounce, Collides with Trees During Go-Around (N20737)

Fordyce, AR, US

On April 27, 1996, a Cessna 182P (registration N20737) was involved in an aviation accident near Fordyce, AR. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: the pilot's failure to initiate a timely go-around. A factor was the pilot's misjudgment of distance and speed during the approach. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-07-04Data APIEditorial standards

A pilot aborted a landing after a bounce and initiated a go-around, but the stall warning horn activated. Unable to clear trees, the pilot landed in a field and collided with trees beyond the runway.

Accident Sequence

During the final approach, the pilot realized the aircraft was too high and too fast while on a half-mile final. Full flaps were deployed. The aircraft flared, touched down, bounced, and touched down again. The pilot then decided to abort the landing.

After lifting off, the stall warning horn sounded. Recognizing that the aircraft would not clear trees ahead, the pilot landed in a field and applied maximum braking. The aircraft subsequently collided with trees approximately 1,000 feet beyond the departure end of the runway.

Pilot's Actions

The pilot reported that on final approach, he assessed his altitude and speed as excessive and deployed full flaps. Following a bounced landing, he elected to abort and initiated a go-around. Upon the stall warning activation, he chose to land in a field rather than attempt to overfly the trees.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 27 Apr 1996 Cessna 182P accident near Fordyce, AR?

A pilot aborted a landing after a bounce and initiated a go-around, but the stall warning horn activated. Unable to clear trees, the pilot landed in a field and collided with trees beyond the runway.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 27 Apr 1996 involved a Cessna 182P, registration N20737, at Fordyce, AR.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

the pilot's failure to initiate a timely go-around. A factor was the pilot's misjudgment of distance and speed during the approach.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001208X05573. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.