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Airplane Bounces on Touchdown, Strikes Tree During Go-Around

Plainville, CT, United States

On September 11, 2017, a CESSNA 172 P operated by INTERSTATE AVIATION INC. was involved in an aviation accident near Plainville, CT. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot’s failure to properly execute the go-around, which resulted in the airplane failing to maintain a climb, which resulted in collision with a tree. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 12 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

SourcesNTSBPrimary reportUpdated 2026-08-03Data APIEditorial standards

During a go-around after a bounced landing, an airplane drifted left, failed to gain altitude, and struck a tree before colliding with the ground, resulting in substantial damage.

Incident Details

The pilot reported that during touchdown the airplane bounced, and he chose to perform a go-around. He applied full power, set the carburetor heat to cold, and began incrementally retracting the flaps. The airplane drifted left of the runway centerline, towards a parking lot, but was not gaining altitude. The pilot started looking for a spot to execute a forced landing when the airplane impacted a tree and then collided with the ground.

Postaccident Examination

A postaccident examination of the airplane revealed substantial damage to both wings and the fuselage. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Contributing factors

Causes

PilotPerformance/control parameters — Not attained/maintained

Other contributing factors

Effect on operation

Related events

Same aircraft family

  • 24 Sep 2026 — CESSNA 172B
  • 23 Sep 2026 — CESSNA 172
  • 18 Sep 2026 — CESSNA 172
  • 16 Sep 2026 — CESSNA 172M (CK Aviation LLC)
  • 9 Sep 2026 — CESSNA 172
  • 8 Sep 2026 — CESSNA 172N
  • 7 Sep 2026 — CESSNA 172N (Tin Cup Investments INC)
  • 24 Aug 2026 — CESSNA 172M
  • 21 Aug 2026 — CESSNA 172P (Vascular Wings LLC)
  • 18 Aug 2026 — CESSNA 172L (Ocala Aviation Services INC)
  • 16 Aug 2026 — CESSNA 172L (Foothill Aircraft Sales and Service Inc.)
  • 9 Aug 2026 — CESSNA 172N (Kimber 123 Holdings LLC)

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 11 Sept 2017 CESSNA 172 P accident near Plainville, CT?

During a go-around after a bounced landing, an airplane drifted left, failed to gain altitude, and struck a tree before colliding with the ground, resulting in substantial damage.

Were there any fatalities in the 11 Sept 2017 CESSNA 172 P accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 11 Sept 2017 involved a CESSNA 172 P, operated by INTERSTATE AVIATION INC., at Plainville, CT.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pilot’s failure to properly execute the go-around, which resulted in the airplane failing to maintain a climb, which resulted in collision with a tree.

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