Accident Summary
On October 27, 2024, at approximately 11:05 JST, a Cessna 172P (registration JA4098) overran Runway 15 during landing at Semine Operation Site in Kurihara City, Miyagi Prefecture. The aircraft slid down a steep slope covered in grass and shrubs, striking a tree and coming to rest inverted. The aircraft sustained damage to its main wings, fuselage, vertical fin, nose landing gear mount, spinner, and propeller. Neither the pilot nor the passenger sustained injuries.
Flight History
The aircraft departed from Honda Airport in Okegawa City, Saitama Prefecture at about 09:10, carrying the pilot (left seat) and a passenger who also held a private pilot certificate (right seat). The purpose was to participate in an event at the operation site. Pre-flight and taxi checks, including brake tests, revealed no abnormalities, and the pilot reported no physical issues. The pilot communicated via radio with the operation site and was informed that Runway 15 was active with calm wind. Since it was the pilot's first landing at the site, he attempted a low approach over Runway 33 as a familiarization flight but aborted when a person crossed the runway. After that, the aircraft flew straight for about 2 nm, turned 180° at an altitude of 1,500 to 2,000 ft, and set up for Runway 15. The right downwind leg was flown at 1,000 ft and 90–100 kt with flaps at 15°. The downwind leg was extended for safety. During the base turn, speed was reduced, resulting in a shallower approach angle. The pilot adjusted throttle and attitude to achieve a 3° glide path, set flaps to 30°, and aimed for the runway designation marking. Throttle was reduced to idle at the threshold. The stall warning did not activate during the approach. The aircraft touched down on the centerline near the aiming point (first touchdown). It then momentarily floated and touched down again (second touchdown) about 210 m from the threshold. The passenger suggested a go-around, but the pilot hesitated and decided against it. The pilot began intermittent braking, then continuous firm braking, but felt insufficient deceleration. The pilot realized the passenger was also applying brakes after hearing the passenger say, “It won't stop, it won't stop.” The aircraft slowed but could not stop before the runway end, sliding down the steep slope nose-first. The aircraft struck a tree, rolled forward, and came to rest inverted. The pilot unbuckled and exited through the left door; the passenger turned off the master switch, ignition, and fuel shutoff valve, then also escaped through the left door as the right door was jammed. Fuel leaked but no fire occurred. Police and fire brigade arrived and deployed fuel-absorbent mats.
Accident Site
The operation site has a 480 m long, 20 m wide asphalt runway (elevation 172 ft). Runway 15 has a 1% downward slope. At the runway end, the terrain drops into a steep slope with a depression angle of approximately 40°, extending about 2 m from the runway. Tire marks from both main landing gears were found from 304 m from the threshold to the runway end, gradually veering right and continuing onto the slope. A sand patch was present where the left tire mark passed. The vertical drop from the runway surface to the aircraft’s final position was about 17 m. The slope was covered with grass and shrubs, which were mowed down by the aircraft. A tree at the bottom was uprooted.
Aircraft Damage
The aircraft sustained multiple deformations: left main wing near the tip; right main wing at the tip and near the root; fuselage; vertical fin; nose landing gear mount broken; spinner deformed; one propeller blade deformed; and uneven wear on both main landing gear tires.
Performance Information
The aircraft's flight manual, under short field landing conditions (flaps 30°, power off, maximum braking, paved level dry runway, zero wind), lists a landing distance of 1,295 ft (395 m) and ground roll of 550 ft (168 m) at the accident's approximate temperature (20°C) and elevation (172 ft). The aircraft's landing weight was 1,978 lbs. The manual states the stall warning horn activates 5–10 kt above stall speed; the pilot reported the horn activated at 48 kt near touchdown.
Video Analysis
Video footage of the landing showed the aircraft initially floated after touching down on both main wheels, then touched down on all three gear. Still images captured near the runway threshold, center, and end were used to estimate speed: 80–95 kt near the threshold, 40–60 kt near the center, and 20–30 kt near the end. These calculations were performed in cooperation with the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA).