Loss of Control on Ground: Cessna 172S Skyhawk SP, N52232; accident occurred March 12, 2020 at Ocean City Municipal Airport (KOXB), Worcester County, Maryland

Aviation Accident Final Report - National Transportation Safety Board

Additional Participating Entity: 
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Baltimore, Maryland

Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board:

https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket

https://registry.faa.gov/N52232

Location: Ocean City, MD
Accident Number: ERA20CA141
Date & Time: 03/12/2020, 1120 EDT
Registration: N52232
Aircraft: Cessna 172
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Loss of control on ground
Injuries: 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Instructional 

Analysis

The helicopter pilot was conducting his first solo cross-country flight in an airplane. He reported that some birds moved over the runway as he was about to land the airplane. He applied full power and retracted the flaps to initiate a go-around; however, the airplane touched down and departed the left side of the runway onto grass. The airplane's nose and both wings impacted terrain, and the airplane nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and both wings. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Probable Cause and Findings

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during an attempted go-around to avoid birds, which resulted in a runway excursion and subsequent nose-over.

Findings

Aircraft Directional control - Not attained/maintained

Personnel issues Aircraft control - Student/instructed pilot

Environmental issues Soft surface - Effect on operation

Factual Information

History of Flight

Landing Miscellaneous/other

Landing Loss of control on ground (Defining event)

Landing Attempted remediation/recovery

Landing Runway excursion

Landing Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT)

Pilot Information

Certificate: Commercial
Age: 37, Male
Airplane Rating(s): None
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): Helicopter
Restraint Used:
Instrument Rating(s): Helicopter
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 1 With Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 02/13/2020
Occupational Pilot: Yes
Last Flight Review or Equivalent:
Flight Time:  (Estimated) 350 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 25 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft)

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Cessna
Registration: N52232
Model/Series: 172 S
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 2008
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: 172S10870
Landing Gear Type: Tricycle
Seats: 4
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 02/28/2020, 100 Hour
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 2550 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 7762.5 Hours at time of accident
Engine Manufacturer: Lycoming
ELT: C126 installed
Engine Model/Series: IO-360-L2A
Registered Owner: Mustang Sally Aviation Llc
Rated Power: 180 hp
Operator: Infinity Flight School
Operating Certificate(s) Held: Pilot School (141)

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: OXB, 12 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 0 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 1053 EDT
Direction from Accident Site: 182°
Lowest Cloud Condition:
Visibility:  10 Miles
Lowest Ceiling: Broken / 4100 ft agl
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 9 knots /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: None / None
Wind Direction: 70°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: N/A / N/A
Altimeter Setting: 30.13 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 9°C / 7°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Wildwood, NJ (WWD)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Ocean City, MD (OXB)
Type of Clearance: VFR Flight Following
Departure Time: 1040 EDT
Type of Airspace: Class G

Airport Information

Airport: Ocean City Muni (OXB)
Runway Surface Type: Asphalt
Airport Elevation: 11 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Wet
Runway Used: 14
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 4074 ft / 75 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: Full Stop; Straight-in

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 None
Latitude, Longitude: 38.310556, -75.123889 (est)