Cessna 182R N5458N accident near St. Johns, Arizona

Probable cause

The pilot’s delay in executing a go-around, which resulted in a runway overrun. Contributing to the accident were the pilot’s failure to establish the proper glidepath and airspeed on final approach and his improper use of flaps during the go-around.

NTSB analysis

The pilot reported that the airplane was high and fast on final approach for landing, so he lowered the flaps to 40 degrees and raised the nose to slow down. The pilot then decided to go around, so he applied full power and raised the flaps to 30 degrees. The airplane began to climb, but then it started descending. The pilot reduced the engine power, landed the airplane, and applied heavy braking. The airplane subsequently overran the end of the runway and went through the perimeter fence. After he exited the airplane, the pilot found the flaps fully retracted. The airplane's Pilot Operating Handbook stated that go-arounds should be performed with the flaps at 20 degrees. Further, the pilot should have performed a go-around when he first noticed that the airplane was too high and fast on the final approach.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR12LA384 for the full record.