# NTSB ATL85LA239: Cessna 172N, N733NU, Wilmington, NC, August 5, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 5, 1985, 17:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Wilmington, NC
- Coordinates: 34.209915, -77.910011 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.2099&lon=-77.9100&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6848
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL85LA239
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6848/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL85LA239

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, landing - roll
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose down, landing - roll

## Analysis

DURING LANDING ROLL THE PLT LOST DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE ACFT & RAN OFF THE SIDE OF THE RWY. THE ACFT NOSED DOWN IN SOFT SOIL RESULTING IN SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE. THE PLT REPORTED A GUST OF WIND WAS ENCOUNTERED WHICH RESULTED IN THE CONTROL LOSS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N733NU (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172N
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17268427
- Airframe hours: 2770
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: John Ruhlig
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, May 1, 1985
- Departed: FAY, FAYETTEVILLE, NC
- Airport: N59, Pilot Ridge, runway 9, 2,750 × 40 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 136 total, 40 in this make and model, 92 as pilot in command, 24 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 120° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ILM, 180 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 19850805036999A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850805036999A), Aug 5, 1985: Cessna 172N, Wilmington, NC, Substantial damage. During landing rollout,directional control was lost. Pilot claimed wind gusts. Nose wheel dug into soft dirt.

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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