No fatalities

16 May 2018: CESSNA 120 NO SERIES — Harlan, IA

Harlan, IA, United States

On 16 May 2018, a CESSNA 120 NO SERIES was involved in an aviation accident near Harlan, IA. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot’s late go-around during a bounced landing, which led to an aerodynamic stall and impact with terrain. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 12 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

SourcesNTSBPrimary reportUpdated 1778583330Data APIEditorial standards

During a visual approach to a turf runway, the airplane bounced on touchdown. The pilot initiated a late go-around, struck a fence, then attempted to avoid trees, resulting in an aerodynamic stall and inverted landing with tail damage.

Approach and Touchdown

The pilot flew a visual approach to a 1,712-foot-long by 120-foot-wide turf runway. During touchdown, the airplane bounced, and the pilot reported feeling out of control.

Go-Around and Obstacle Strike

The pilot executed a late go-around. During this maneuver, the airplane struck a fence at the end of the airport property, which slowed the airplane.

Maneuver and Stall

Due to approaching trees, the pilot attempted to make a turn. This turn resulted in an aerodynamic stall.

Subsequent Impact

The airplane subsequently impacted terrain and came to rest inverted. The impact damaged the tail.

Contributing factors

Causes

PilotAirspeed — Not attained/maintained

Other contributing factors

Contributed to outcome