The National Transportation Safety Board did not travel to the scene of this accident.
Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Saddle Brook, New Jersey
Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board:
https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket
NJC120 LLC
Location: Warwick, New York
Accident Number: ERA21LA240
Date and Time: June 5, 2021, 13:50 Local
Registration: N1899N
Aircraft: Cessna 120
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Landing area undershoot
Injuries: 2 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal
Analysis
According to the pilot, as he descended below a tree line on final approach to land, the airplane’s descent rate rapidly increased. He attempted to stop the descent by adding power and pitching up, but the airplane contacted the ground about 10 ft before the runway’s edge, on rough, slightly rising terrain. The left main landing gear wheel collided with the ground and separated from the gear strut. The airplane nosed down and continued across the ground before coming to rest in an upright position, partially resting on the left wing. The airplane’s left wing and fuselage were substantially damaged during the accident sequence. The pilot did not report any mechanical malfunctions or failures of 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 attain a proper touchdown point, which resulted in the airplane contacting the ground short of the runway.
Findings
Aircraft Descent/approach/glide path - Not attained/maintained
Personnel issues Decision making/judgment - Pilot
Factual Information
History of Flight
Landing-flare/touchdown Landing area undershoot (Defining event)
Landing-flare/touchdown Abnormal runway contact
Pilot Information
Certificate: Private
Age: 65, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine land
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): Glider
Restraint Used: 3-point
Instrument Rating(s): None
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed:
Medical Certification: Class 3 With waivers/limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: October 19, 2020
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: June 30, 2020
Flight Time: (Estimated) 979 hours (Total, all aircraft), 513 hours (Total, this make and model), 894 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 6 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 3 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 1 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)
Passenger Information
Certificate:
Age: Male
Airplane Rating(s):
Seat Occupied: Right
Other Aircraft Rating(s):
Restraint Used: 3-point
Instrument Rating(s):
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s):
Toxicology Performed:
Medical Certification:
Last FAA Medical Exam:
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent:
Flight Time:
Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
Aircraft Make: Cessna
Registration: N1899N
Model/Series: 120
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1947
Amateur Built:
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: 12143
Landing Gear Type: Tailwheel
Seats: 2
Date/Type of Last Inspection: March 25, 2021 Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 1450 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection: 33 Hrs
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 4082 Hrs at time of accident
Engine Manufacturer: Continental
ELT: C91A installed, activated, did not aid in locating accident
Engine Model/Series: O-200
Registered Owner:
Rated Power: 100 Horsepower
Operator:
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None
Meteorological Information and Flight Plan
Conditions at Accident Site: Visual (VMC)
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KMGJ,365 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 13 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 13:54 Local
Direction from Accident Site: 4°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Visibility: 10 miles
Lowest Ceiling:
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 14 knots / 18 knots
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: None / None
Wind Direction: 260°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: N/A / N/A
Altimeter Setting: 29.86 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 31°C / 16°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Warwick, NY
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Warwick, NY
Type of Clearance: VFR
Departure Time:
Type of Airspace: Class G
Airport Information
Airport: Warwick Municipal Airport N72
Runway Surface Type: Grass/turf
Airport Elevation: 540 ft msl
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: 21R
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 2100 ft / 50 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: Full stop; Traffic pattern
Wreckage and Impact Information
Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries:
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 2 None
Latitude, Longitude: 41.287594,-74.287095 (est)