ATL04CA170

NTSB accident investigation · Cessna 172R · Atlanta, GA · August 28, 2004

Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal report
Date
August 28, 2004, 09:06 local (13:06 UTC)
Place
Atlanta, GA
Injuries
2 minor
Damage
Substantial damage
Phase of flight
Uncontrolled descent
Aircraft
N26486Cessna 172R
Weather
Visual (VMC) · Day
Status
Completed · report December 3, 2004
Report
Approved by Office Director
Parties
Atlanta FSDO
FAA report
20040828030339A
Case key
59994

From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.

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Probable cause

The intentional interuption of the flight controls in flight that resulted in a uncontrolled descent and collision with a fence.

Sequence of events

NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.

Loss of control - in flightDescent - uncontrolled
Control interference - intentionalDual studentCause
In flight collision with terrain/waterDescent - uncontrolled
Terrain condition - ground

Analysis

According to the certified flight instructor (CFI), during takeoff climb at approximately 75 feet the dual student told the CFI to "take the airplane; we've got to go down now". The CFI replied "ok my airplane". The CFI attempted to add full power to conduct a go-around. The dual students hand remained on the throttle. The CFI told the dual student that he had to conduct a go-around, the dual student responded "no we have to get down now". The CFI instructed the dual student to "let go of the throttle; my airplane; we need full power". The CFI attempted to add full power but the dual student continued to pull the power back to idle. The CFI yelled at the dual student "you're going to kill us; let go!" The CFI applied full elevator back pressure and the airplane collided with the airport fence. No flight control or mechanical anomalies were reported by the CFI or the dual student.

Factual narrative

On August 28, 2004, at 0906 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172R, N26486, registered to T J Aviation Inc. and operated by PDK flight Academy collided with the ground an a fence during takeoff climb from Peachtree-Dekalb Airport, Chamblee, Georgia. The instructional flight was conducted under the provision of Title 14 CFR Part 91 with no flight plan filed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The airplane was substantially damaged and the certified flight instructor and private pilot reported minor injuries. The flight departed Peachtree-Dekalb Airport, Chamblee, Georgia on August 28, 2004 at 0900.

According to the certified flight instructor (CFI), during takeoff climb at approximately 75 feet the dual student told the CFI to "take the airplane; we've got to go down now". The CFI replied "ok my airplane". With no runway left to land, the CFI attempted to add full power to conduct a go-around. The dual students hand remained on the throttle, and prevented the CFI from regaining full control of the airplane. The CFI told the dual student that he had to conduct a go-around, but the dual student responded "no we have to get down now". The CFI instructed the dual student to "let go of the throttle; my airplane; we need full power". The CFI attempted to add full power but the dual student continued to pull the power back to idle. The CFI yelled at the dual student "you're going to kill us; let go!" The CFI applied full elevator back pressure and the airplane collided with the airport fence. No flight control or mechanical anomalies were reported by the CFI or the dual student prior to the accident.

According to the dual student, he felt apprehensive since he hadn't flown for some time. During the climb out the dual student told the CFI "we need to go down now" and pulled out the throttle and adjusted the yoke to land. The CFI responded "no, we'll go around". According to the dual student, the CFI tried to take control of the control yoke, but the dual student would not let go. The airplane collided with the ground and slid into the airport fence.

Examination of the airplane revealed the aft cabin section of the airplane was buckled. Both left and right wing assemblies were buckled, and the main landing gears were bent aft towards the tail section of the airplane. The pilots reported no mechanical problems with the airplane during the short flight.

Aircraft

Registration
N26486
Reported as
Cessna 172R
Category
Airplane
Serial number
17280538
Airframe hours
3,278
Engine
Lycoming IO-360-L2A, 160 horsepower, reciprocating
Damage
Substantial damage
Flight
Instructional · Part 91
Operator
PDK Flight Academy
Registered owner
TJ Aviation
Airworthiness certificate
Standard, Normal
Last inspection
Annual · June 30, 2004 · 3,278 hours before
Departed
PDK · Atlanta, GA
Destination
PDK · Peachtree City, GA
Airport
PDK · Dekalb-Peachtree, runway 20R, 3,744 × 150 ft, grass/turf

Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

Flight crew · 2

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

Role
Flight instructor
Age
26
Injuries
Minor
Certificates
Flight instructor, Commercial
Airplane ratings
Single-engine land, Multi-engine land
Instrument ratings
Airplane
Medical
Class 1, Valid Medical--no waivers/lim.
Last flight review
November 30, 2003
Seat
Right
Flight hours
389 total · 20 in this make and model · 328 as pilot in command · 138 in the last 90 days · 87 in the last 30 days
Role
Pilot
Age
46
Injuries
Minor
Certificate
Private
Airplane ratings
Single-engine land
Last flight review
October 1, 2000
Seat
Right
Flight hours
232 total · 216 in this make and model · 0 in the last 90 days · 0 in the last 30 days · 0 in the last 24 hours

Weather

Conditions
Visual (VMC) · Day
Wind
0° at 0 knots
Visibility
6 statute miles
Lowest ceiling
None
Temperature
75 °F, dew point 70 °F
Altimeter
30.11 inHg
Observed at
PDK

FAA reports on this event · 1

The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.

Other investigations on N26486 · 1

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.