# NTSB ATL04CA170: Cessna 172R, N26486, Atlanta, GA, August 28, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 28, 2004, 09:06 local (13:06 UTC) - Place: Atlanta, GA - Coordinates: 33.871944, -84.30194 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8719&lon=-84.3019&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Uncontrolled descent](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/650) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report December 3, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Atlanta FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 59994 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL04CA170 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/59994/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL04CA170 ## 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 In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, descent - uncontrolled - control interference - intentional, dual student (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - 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](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N26486-2004-12-06), registration cancelled 2004-12-06, S/N 17280538, built 1998 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172R - Registry model: [Cessna 172R](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172r) (registry code 2072401) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 SER A&C](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-ser-a-c) (registry code 41511, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17280538 - Airframe hours: 3278 - Engines: 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 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 26; injuries: minor; 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 - Pilot; age 46; injuries: minor; 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 (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20040828030339A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040828030339A), Aug 28, 2004: Cessna 172R, Atlanta, GA, Substantial damage. (-23) Aircraft N26486, a Cessna 172 with two men on board, departed pdk airport heading northeast from runway 20R at approx 0903. Shortly after takeoff with… ## Other investigations on N26486 (1) From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. - [NTSB ATL04LA062](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL04LA062), Dec 26, 2003: Cessna 172R (N26486), Atlanta, GA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's improper flare resulting in a hard landing. A factor is lack of total experience. From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.