NTSB WPR13CA152 — 2013-03-17 · Gila Bend, Arizona, United States

Aircraft involved

N5802J Cessna 172N Minor

Probable cause & findings

The student pilot's failure to maintain airplane control during an attempted go-around.

Factual narrative

The student pilot reported that while attempting to land the airplane, it drifted left and he decided to execute a go-around. During the go-around, the airplane struck a tree located about 178 feet left of the runway, and subsequently impacted the ground. Post accident examination revealed damage to the engine firewall and wings. The student pilot reported no pre-impact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The student pilot reported that while he was attempting to land the airplane, it drifted left, and he decided to execute a go-around. During the go-around, the airplane struck a tree located left of the runway then impacted the ground. Postaccident examination revealed substantial damage to the engine firewall and wings. The student pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures 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-Heading/course-Not attained/maintained - C
C Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Aircraft control-Student pilot - C
— Environmental issues-Physical environment-Object/animal/substance-Tree(s)-Effect on operation

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_2013_WPR13CA152.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.

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Related research

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