Accident Details
On February 3, 2012, about 1230 Pacific standard time, a Cessna 172E, registration N3879S, veered off runway 27 during an aborted landing at Dinsmore (uncontrolled) airport, Dinsmore, California. The airplane came to rest in a field about 50 yards beyond the runway’s end. A post-impact ground fire occurred, which consumed the substantially damaged airplane. The commercial pilot, who holds a certified flight instructor (CFI) certificate, was seriously injured. The CFI was providing flight instruction to a student pilot, who was the airplane’s registered owner; the student pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The flight was performed under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91, and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated about 1115.
Sequence of Events
The student pilot reported to the National Transportation Safety Board investigator that the CFI directed him to land at the Dinsmore airport. On final approach, the CFI took the flight controls from the student. The student released the controls and did not touch them again. The wing flaps were extended to the 30-degree setting, and the CFI attempted to land. After touching down on the runway, the airplane bounced several times, the right main wheel rolled off the 48-foot wide runway into the grass, and the CFI attempted a go-around. The CFI added full engine power, and the stall warning sounded as the airplane veered back across the runway while continuing to bounce. After the airplane’s right wing tip contacted the ground, the airplane reversed direction as it cartwheeled to a stop. Shortly after coming to rest, a post-impact fire began, which consumed the airplane.
Post-Accident Information
During a telephone conversation, the CFI said they took off from Garberville about 1130 for an instructional session. He said he does not recall completely but believes he took over the controls either just after the student had landed or just before touchdown. The airplane was veering to the right and he decided to perform a go-around. The stall warning was going off during the go-around at the west end of the runway. He said he was trying to go over the trees beyond the end of the runway; he pulled on the yoke to clear the trees and the airplane stalled and hit the ground. The student pilot owner reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane.