# NTSB ATL04CA188: Cessna 172L, N986AC, Kill Devil Hlls, NC, September 17, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 17, 2004, 10:25 local (14:25 UTC) - Place: Kill Devil Hlls, NC - Coordinates: 36.018054, -75.671112 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.0181&lon=-75.6711&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report December 3, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 60147 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL04CA188 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/60147/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL04CA188 ## Probable cause An in-flight encounter with a downdraft on final approach, which resulted in a loss of control of the airplane and subsequent collision with the ground. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight encounter with weather, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - weather condition - downdraft (cause) - Loss of control - in flight, approach - remedial action - not successful, pilot in command - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis The pilot stated he completed seven or eight touch-and-go landings uneventfully. The pilot stated that, while on final approach for the last touch-and-go about 70 feet above the ground, the airplane sank uncontrollably. The pilot stated he added power, and the airplane continued to sink until it collided with the ground. A review of recorded weather data for the airport revealed at 1021 winds were from 150 degrees at 8 knots, direction variable between 121 and 181 degrees, sky condition clear. At 1100, winds were from 150 degrees at 9 knots gusting to 15 knots, direction variable between 131 degrees and 201 degrees, sky condition scattered at 3000, 5000, and 9000 feet. A review of satellite imagery revealed the presence of cumulus clouds in the area. ## Factual narrative On September 17, 2004, at 1025 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172L, N986AC, registered to and operated by Wright Flight, Inc., collided with the ground and nosed over short of runway 20 at First Flight Airport, Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina. The personal flight was operated under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 with no flight plan filed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The private pilot received serious injuries, and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The flight departed Dare County Regional Airport, Manteo, North Carolina about 1000. The pilot stated he flew four to five minutes to First Flight Airport and entered the traffic pattern for runway 20 to conduct touch-and-go landings. The pilot stated he conducted seven or eight touch-and-go landings and noticed "the wind was changing but always favoring [runway] 20." The pilot stated he was on final approach for his last touch-and-go about 70 feet above the ground when "the airplane had a sinking feeling, more than I had ever felt before." The pilot stated he added power, and the airplane continued to sink uncontrollably. The airplane collided with the ground, then nosed over into a ditch. Examination revealed the airplane came to rest inverted approximately 90 feet from its initial touchdown point, and approximately 400 feet short of the runway 20 threshold. The engine mounts were separated, the fuselage was crushed and buckled aft of the firewall and aft of the cabin, and the empennage was buckled and partially separated. The flaps remained attached, and the actuator was found in a position consistent with a 20-degree flaps-down setting. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunction with the airplane. A review of recorded weather data for First Flight Airport revealed at 1021 winds were from 150 degrees at 8 knots, direction variable between 121 and 181 degrees, sky condition clear. At 1100, winds were from 150 degrees at 9 knots gusting to 15 knots, direction variable between 131 degrees and 201 degrees, sky condition scattered at 3000, 5000, and 9000. A review of satellite imagery revealed the presence of cumulus clouds. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N986AC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N986AC-2007-02-07), registration cancelled 2007-02-07, S/N 17259289, built 1970 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172L - Registry model: [Cessna 172L](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172l) (registry code 2072432) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17259289 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Wright Flight, Inc. - Registered owner: Wright Flight, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Departed: KMQI, Manteo, NC - Airport: KFFA, First Flight, runway 20 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 47; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3; flight hours: 735 total, 2 in this make and model, 2 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day ## 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 20040917024349A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040917024349A), Sep 17, 2004: Cessna 172L, Kill Devil Hill, NC, Substantial damage. (-23) On September 17, 2004, N986AC was doing touch and go patterns at Kill Devil hills, NC (ffa). On the 9th approach to runway 20, the pilot experienced a "a… 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.