# NTSB ATL85FID01: Cessna 172M, N70554, Norfolk, VA, October 4, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: October 4, 1984, 13:01 local (17:01 UTC)
- Place: Norfolk, VA
- Coordinates: 36.920906, -76.220428 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.9209&lon=-76.2204&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6646
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL85FID01
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6646/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL85FID01

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Vortex turbulence encountered, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - clearance - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - go-around - not performed, pilot in command
- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PLT WAS MAKING HIS LANDING APCH BEHIND A BOEING 727 AND IN FRONT OF A BOEING 737. PLT WAS REQUESTED BY ATC TO MAKE A SHORT APCH BUT WAS ALSO CAUTIONED ABOUT WAKE TURBULENCE. ON FINAL APCH AT APRX 50 FT AGL, N70554 ROLLED SHARPLY INTO A 90 DEG BANK, STARTED TO ROLL OUT OF THE BANK, QUIT FLYING AND TURNED RIGHT APRX 120 DEGS BEFORE CONTACTING THE GROUND, ACCORDING TO A WITNESS. PLT STATED HE SHOULD HAVE FLOWN A HIGHER APCH OR MADE A GO AROUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N70554](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N70554-2013-05-03), registration cancelled 2013-05-03, S/N 17267222, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172M
- Registry model: [Cessna 172M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172m) (registry code 2072418) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17267222
- Airframe hours: 3500
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E20 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: George J. Cartwright
- Registered owner: George J. Cartwright
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 2, 1984, 900 hours before
- Departed: ORF, NORFOLK, VA
- Airport: ORF, Norfolk Int'L, runway 5, 9,000 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 21,962 total, 3,691 in this make and model, 21,900 as pilot in command, 564 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 20° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ORF, 5 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 19841004054859A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19841004054859A), Oct 4, 1984: Cessna 172M, Norfolk, VA, Substantial damage. Encountered wake turbulence from a landing heavy jet. Lost control and crashed off the end of the runway.

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.