# NTSB ATL85LKG02: Cessna 172N, N1947F, Tuscaloosa, AL, December 23, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: December 23, 1984, 14:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: Tuscaloosa, AL
- Coordinates: 33.170364, -87.619857 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.1704&lon=-87.6199&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6880
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL85LKG02
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6880/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL85LKG02

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - total, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - remedial action - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT VEERED TO THE LEFT DURING THE TAKEOFF GROUND RUN. THE ACFT DEPARTED THE RWY INTO A SOFT, PLOWED FIELD WHERE IT MOMENTARILY NOSED DOWN BEFORE COMING TO REST ON THE MAIN LANDING GEAR.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1947F](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1947F), registered now, S/N 17273037, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172N
- Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 172N73037
- Airframe hours: 2401
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Dixie Air, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, September 24, 1984, 91 hours before
- Departed: TCL, TUSCALOOSA, AL
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: TCL, Tuscaloosca, runway 22, 6,500 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 34 total, 34 in this make and model, 13 as pilot in command, 22 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 0° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 63 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: TCL

## 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 19841223073949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19841223073949A), Dec 23, 1984: Cessna 172N, Tuscaloosa, AL, Substantial damage. Student pilot did not maintain directional control on takeoff roll. Left side of runway into a plowed field.

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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