Cessna 172 N5344R accident near Yellow Pine, Idaho

Probable cause

The pilot's improper approach, which resulted in the airplane touching down with insufficient runway remaining to stop on the runway, a runway overrun, and subsequent collision with bushes and terrain.

NTSB analysis

The pilot reported that, after touchdown, he realized that he was not going to be able to stop the airplane before the end of the runway and that aborting the landing was not an option because he did not believe that the airplane would clear trees at the end of the runway. The pilot chose to run the airplane off the end of the runway, and the airplane subsequently struck bushes and impacted terrain. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for GAA19CA323 for the full record.