# NTSB ATL85LA255: Cessna 172E, N8499U, Villa Rica, GA, August 22, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 21, 1985, 20:20 local (Aug 22, 1985, 00:20 UTC)
- Place: Villa Rica, GA
- Coordinates: 33.729747, -84.91957 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.7297&lon=-84.9196&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6860
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL85LA255
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6860/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL85LA255

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, go-around (vfr)
  - light condition - dusk (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - visual/aural perception, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - go-around - delayed, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PLT TOOK OFF FROM THE STOCKMAR ARPT ON A LOCAL FLT. AFTER FLYING IN THE LOCAL AREA, HE RETURNED AT DUSK TO LAND, BUT INADVERTENTLY MADE AN APPROACH TO ANOTHER ARPT THAT WAS LOCATED ABOUT 1/2 MI FROM THE STOCKMAR ARPT. HE DID NOT REALIZED THAT HE WAS MAKING AN APPROACH TO THE WRONG ARPT UNTIL THE ACFT WAS ABOUT 40 FT ABOVE THE RWY. THE PLT INITIATED A GO-AROUND, BUT THE ACFT CRASHED INTO TREES NEAR THE END OF THE RWY. THE OPERATOR REPORTED THAT THE PLT WAS NOT AUTHORIZED TO FLY THE ACFT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8499U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8499U-2013-05-14), registration cancelled 2013-05-14, S/N 17252399, built 1964 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172E
- Registry model: [Cessna 172F](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172f) (registry code 2072414) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17252399
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300-D 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Dogie Stockmar
- Registered owner: John D. Silverthorne
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: VILLA RICA, GA
- Airport: Flying S Ranch, runway 9, 2,900 × 50 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ATL, 28 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 19850821039949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850821039949A), Aug 21, 1985: Cessna 172E, Villa Rica, GA, Substantial damage. Aircraft struck trees during go around after pilot realized he was at wrong airport. No accident report from pilot.

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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