Probable cause
The pilot’s decision to land at a closed water-soaked grass runway, which resulted in a runway excursion.
NTSB analysis
The pilot reported that during landing on the 2,344 ft grass runway, the airplane floated and touched down near mid-field. The pilot applied the brakes and retracted the flaps, but the turf runway was waterlogged, and the airplane exited the end of the runway and nosed over. According to the airport’s chart supplement, the airport was closed from October 1, 2023, to June 1, 2023. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing spar.
The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR24LA022 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Oct 18, 2023
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Bandera, Washington
- Nearest airport
- Bandera State (4W0)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Cessna 172N
- N-number
- N734LJ
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1977
- 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.