Cessna 172 landing accident in pasture

Casualties unknown • Cortez, CO, US

A pilot attempted an emergency landing in a pasture to avoid livestock, resulting in a wing strike and ground excursion.

What happened

The pilot was attempting to land the Cessna 172 in a pasture located near his home. During the approach, the pilot observed a horse near the end of the landing area. To avoid the animal, the pilot elected to land further down the field; however, he realized there was insufficient pasture remaining for a safe touchdown.

The pilot attempted a go-around by applying full power, but was unable to arrest the aircraft's sink rate. Consequently, the pilot decided to proceed with a landing in the remaining available space. The aircraft touched down with power applied in a nose-high attitude at stall speed. During the landing, the left wing struck the ground, causing the aircraft to rotate 180 degrees to the left, while the right wingtip dragged along the surface.

Findings

The pilot reported that he was not accustomed to the increased weight of a full fuel load combined with the presence of a rear-seat passenger. Additionally, the aircraft was operating with a 5-knot tailwind. At the time of the accident, the density altitude was calculated to be 7,741 feet mean sea level.

Probable cause

The pilot's decision to land in a restricted area to avoid an obstacle, combined with high density altitude and increased aircraft weight, led to an inability to arrest the sink rate during a go-around attempt.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2005-10-26 Piper PA-18-150 accident near Cortez, CO?

A pilot attempted an emergency landing in a pasture to avoid livestock, resulting in a wing strike and ground excursion.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2005-10-26 involved a Piper PA-18-150, registration N4055Z, at Cortez, CO.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pilot's decision to land in a restricted area to avoid an obstacle, combined with high density altitude and increased aircraft weight, led to an inability to arrest the sink rate during a go-around attempt.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20051103X01775. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.

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