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GAA18CA027

2017-10-21 · New Bern, North Carolina, United States · None · 1 aircraft · Status: Completed

Airport EWN

Current FAA registration · N72552

Make / Model
CESSNA 120
Engine
CONT MOTOR C85 SERIES (85 hp)
Seats / Engines
2 seats · 1 engine
Last airworthiness date
19580527
ADS-B equipped
Yes — Mode-S A9B941

Source: FAA Aircraft Registry (releasable master file).

Aircraft involved

Probable cause & findings

The pilot’s improper landing flare and subsequent failure to maintain directional control during landing.

Factual narrative

The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, during landing, he believed he "just hit a little to[o] hard" and the airplane porpoised. He added that, he attempted to recover but could not get control of the airplane. Subsequently, the airplane exited the runway to the left and nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the empennage and the left wing lift strut. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, during landing, he believed he "just hit a little to[o] hard," and the airplane porpoised. He added that he attempted to recover but could not get control of the airplane. Subsequently, the airplane exited the runway to the left and nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the empennage and the left wing lift strut. 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 oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Directional control-Not attained/maintained - C
  • C Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Landing flare-Not attained/maintained - C
  • C Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Aircraft control-Pilot - C

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_2017_GAA18CA027.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.

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