Probable cause
The pilot’s failure to maintain a stabilized approach speed on landing, which resulted in a runway excursion and collision with logs.
NTSB analysis
The pilot was too high on approach to land, so he lowered the flaps and reduced power to idle. He said his groundspeed “seemed a little high” prior to touching down but he continued to land on the 3,500 ft long grass runway. The braking effectiveness on the grass was not good, but the pilot said it was “too late” to go around. The airplane went off the end of the runway and collided with a pile of logs, which resulted in substantial damage to the right-wing spar.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA23LA043 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Oct 27, 2022
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Roberta, Georgia
- Nearest airport
- Gentle Landings Air Park (0GA9)
- Highest injury
- Minor
- Minor injuries
- 1
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Cessna 172M
- N-number
- N4349R
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1974
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.