# NTSB ATL85LA137: Cessna 172P, N52778, Southern Pines, NC, April 17, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 17, 1985, 16:30 local (21:30 UTC)
- Place: Southern Pines, NC
- Coordinates: 35.180137, -79.400016 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.1801&lon=-79.4000&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6777
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL85LA137
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6777/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL85LA137

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, go-around (vfr)
  - carburetor heat - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (cause)
  - raising of flaps - delayed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - planned approach - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of recent experience in type operation, pilot in command (cause)
  - go-around - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, go-around (vfr)
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

THE ACFT STALLED DURING A PRACTICE GO-AROUND ATTEMPT AT A PRIVATE AIRSTRIP. THE PLT STATED THAT HE APPLIED FULL THROTTEL AFTER DESCENDING TO ABOUT 20 FT ABOVE THE RWY DURING THE PRACTICE GO-AROUND. HE STATED THAT HE THEN TRIED TO PUSH THE CARB HEAT CONTROL FORWARD AND IT WOULD NOT MOVE. THE PLT RAISED THE NOSE OF THE ACFT IN ORDER TO CLEAR THE TREES AT THE END OF THE RWY & THE ACFT STALLED. POST CRASH EXAMINATION OF THE ACFT FAILED TO DISCLOSE ANY MECHANICAL FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N52778](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N52778-2013-04-08), registration cancelled 2013-04-08, S/N 17274605, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172P
- Registry model: [Cessna 172P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172p) (registry code 2072436) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17274605
- Airframe hours: 1329
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D2J 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Mid South Aviation
- Registered owner: Bob Vitale
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, April 12, 1985
- Departed: SOP, SOUTHERN PINES, NC
- Airport: Private Strip

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 24; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 59 total, 17 in this make and model, 33 as pilot in command, 33 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F

## 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 19850417013159A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850417013159A), Apr 17, 1985: Cessna 172P, Southern Pines, NC, Destroyed. Attempted go around with full flaps and mushed into trees after raising nose and taking off one notch of flaps.

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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