Cessna 172 N4144L accident near Nooksack, Washington

Probable cause

The pilot’s improper approach in tailwind conditions, which resulted in long landing and subsequent runway overrun.

NTSB analysis

The pilot reported that, after three attempts to land the airplane at the one-way, private grass airstrip, the wind had become a tailwind. During the fourth approach, the wind was "apparently stabilized," but once he committed to land, the wind increased and became a hazard. He added that the airplane was then "too low to abort," and the airplane landed long. Subsequently, the airplane was unable to stop, overran the runway, and impacted a power pole.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, empennage, and both wings.

The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

The automated weather observation system about 9 nautical miles away from the accident site reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 220° at 5 knots. The pilot landed the airplane to the east.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for GAA18CA280 for the full record.