# NTSB ATL06CA112: Cessna 170B, N4556C, Griffin, GA, July 24, 2006 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 24, 2006, 14:59 local (18:59 UTC) - Place: Griffin, GA - Coordinates: 33.226943, -84.274719 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.2269&lon=-84.2747&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 31, 2006 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: College Park FSDO-11 - NTSB case key (mKey): 64177 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL06CA112 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/64177/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL06CA112 ## Probable cause An in-flight encounter with weather on initial take off climb resulting in a loss of directional control and 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, takeoff - initial climb - weather condition - sudden windshift (cause) - weather condition - gusts (cause) - Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb - directional control - not possible, pilot in command - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis The pilot applied aft pressure on the control yoke upon reaching 55 mph on the takeoff roll and the airplane became airborne. The airplane immediately veered to the left and the pilot applied right rudder and aileron. The pilot stated that he encountered a strong wind gust from the right. Another wind gust hit the airplane, and the pilot lost directional control of the airplane. The airplane cart wheeled to the left and came to rest inverted. A weather study completed by the NTSB revealed a low pressure system approaching the Alabama-Georgia border with a stationary front extending eastward across Georgia, in the vicinity of the accident site. Scattered thunderstorms and rain showers were developing along the front. The satellite image indicated a developing cumulonimbus clouds over the accident site, indicating thunderstorms were in the immediate vicinity of the airport at the time of the accident. The weather radar radial velocity image supports a wind shift in the immediate vicinity of the accident site with wind values less than 20 knots between the boundary. No defined microburst signature were noted in the vicinity of the accident site, but a wind analysis supported a gust front or outflow boundary. ## Factual narrative On July 24, 2006, at 1459 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 170B, N4556C, registered to a private owner, operating as a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, collided with the ground after rotation on initial takeoff climb. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The airplane received substantial damage. The private pilot reported no injuries. The flight was originating from the Griffin-Spalding County Airport on July 24, 2006, at 1459. The pilot stated he taxied to runway 32 and completed an engine run up with no anomalies noted. The pilot taxied the airplane into position and upon reaching 55 mph he applied aft pressure on the control yoke and the airplane became airborne. The airplane immediately veered to the left and the pilot applied right rudder and aileron. The pilot stated he encountered a strong wind gust from the right. Another wind gust hit the airplane, and the pilot lost directional control of the airplane. The airplane cart wheeled to the left and came to rest inverted. The Peachtree City Falcon Field, Atlanta, Georgia, located 16 miles northwest of the accident site 1518 surface weather observation was winds 320-degrees at 9 knots, visibility 6 miles with thunderstorm and haze, scattered clouds at 3,600 feet, scattered clouds at 4,800 feet, temperature 84-degrees Fahrenheit, temperature dew point 70-degrees Fahrenheit, altimeter 30.01. Remarks lightening distant in all quadrants. Thunderstorm begin 5 minutes after the hour. Rain ended at 1456. No observations were available for Griffin-Spalding Airport. A weather study by the NTSB revealed between 1540 and 1553 a wind shift was noted from the southwest to the northwest, with light rain showers occurring at 1553 with lightning in all quadrants. A thunderstorm began at 1517 and ended at 1534, with rain beginning at 1546.Thunderstorms continued to be reported in the vicinity of the airport with wind gusts to 24 knots. The 1500 surface analysis synoptic condition indicated a low pressure system approaching the Alabama-Georgia border with a stationary front extending eastward across Georgia, in the vicinity of the accident site. Scattered thunderstorms and rain showers were developing along the front. The GOES-12 satellite image surrounding the period was reviewed. The 1455Z visible image indicated developing cumulonimbus clouds over the accident site, indicating thunderstorms were in the immediate vicinity of the airport at the time of the accident. The Peachtree Weather radar radial velocity image supports a wind shift in the immediate vicinity of the accident site with wind values less than 20 knots between the boundary. No defined microburst signature was noted in the vicinity of the accident site, but wind analysis did support a gust front or outflow boundary. ## Aircraft - Registration: N4556C (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: Cessna 170B - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 25500 - Airframe hours: 2597 - Engines: Continental O-300A 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Anthony J. Arduengo Jr. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 2006, 4 hours before - Departed: 6A2, Griffin, GA - Destination: 62GA, Jackson, GA - Airport: 6A2, Griffin-Spalding County Airpor, runway 32, 3,701 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 75; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 1, 2006; seat: left; flight hours: 1,380 total, 814 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 320° at 9 knots, gusting 24 - Visibility: 6 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 70 °F - Altimeter: 30.01 inHg - Observed at: KFFC, 16 nm away ## 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 20060724017059A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20060724017059A), Jul 24, 2006: Cessna 170B, Griffin, GA, Substantial damage. (-23) The pilot did not receive a weather brief from flight service station prior to departure. The local weather had thunderstorms in the vicinity with… 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.