# NTSB ATL85LA003: Cessna 172N, N737MW, Gold Hill, NC, October 9, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 9, 1984, 11:30 local (15:30 UTC)
- Place: Gold Hill, NC
- Coordinates: 35.520923, -80.329498 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.5209&lon=-80.3295&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6683
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL85LA003
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6683/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL85LA003

## Sequence of events

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

- Overrun, landing - roll
  - in-flight planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - wrong runway - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather observation - inaccurate, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

THE PLT WAS UABLE TO RAISE UNICOM FOR WIND ADVISORIES AND WAS UNABLE TO FIND THE WIND SOCK TO AID IN RWY SELECTION. HE DID SEE SOME SMOKE ON THE GROUND WHICH INDICATED CALM WINDS.DURING HIS FLARE THE ACFT FLOATED ABOUT HALFWAY DOWN THE RWY, TOUCHED DOWN AND THE PLT DECIDED IT WAS TOO LATE TO INITATE A GO-AROUND. HE APPLIED FULL BRAKING BUT WAS UNABLE TO STOP BEFORE RUNNING OFF THE END OF THE RWY INTO A WOODED AREA. AFTER THE ACCIDENT THE PLT ESTIMATED THAT HE LANDED IN A RIGHT QUARTERING TAILWIND OF 4 TO 7 KNOTS. THE LENGTH OF THE GRASS RWY IS 2600 FT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N737MW](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N737MW-1990-03-26), registration cancelled 1990-03-26, S/N 17269531 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172N
- Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17269531
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Thomas D. Kovasckitz
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: FAY, FAYETTEVILLE, NC
- Airport: NC25, Gold Hill, runway 27, 2,600 × 80 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 263 total, 113 in this make and model, 146 as pilot in command, 31 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 40° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 4 statute miles
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 59 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CLT

## 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 19841009065279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19841009065279A), Oct 9, 1984: Cessna 172N, Gold Hill, NC, Substantial damage. Unable to stop after landing downwind. Ran 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.

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