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GAA17CA156

2017-02-24 · Orange, Massachusetts, United States · None · 1 aircraft · Status: Completed

Airport ORE

Current FAA registration · N77116

Make / Model
CESSNA 120
Year of manufacture
1946 · 71 years old at event
Engine
CONT MOTOR C85 SERIES (85 hp)
Seats / Engines
2 seats · 1 engine
Last airworthiness date
19560525
ADS-B equipped
Yes — Mode-S AA6F58

Source: FAA Aircraft Registry (releasable master file).

Aircraft involved

Probable cause & findings

The pilot’s selection of unsuitable terrain for landing, which resulted in a nose-over.

Factual narrative

The pilot of the tailwheel equipped airplane reported that while attempting to land on the "grass portion of the runway", parallel to the paved runway, the ground was soft. Subsequently, the main wheels sunk into the ground and the airplane nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to its right-wing lift strut and vertical stabilizer. The pilot reported that there were no pre-accident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, while attempting to land on the "grass portion of the runway" parallel to the paved runway, the ground was soft. Subsequently, the main wheels sunk into the ground, and the airplane nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to its right-wing lift strut and vertical stabilizer. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

  • C Aircraft-Aircraft systems-Landing gear system-Wheel/ski/float-Capability exceeded - C
  • C Personnel issues-Action/decision-Info processing/decision-Decision making/judgment-Pilot - C
  • C Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Aircraft control-Pilot - C
  • C Environmental issues-Physical environment-Terrain-Wet/muddy terrain-Decision related to condition - C
  • C Environmental issues-Physical environment-Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface-Soft surface-Decision related to condition - C
  • — Environmental issues-Physical environment-Terrain-Wet/muddy terrain-Effect on operation
  • — Environmental issues-Physical environment-Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface-Soft surface-Effect on operation

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_2017_GAA17CA156.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.

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