# NTSB ATL86LA045: Cessna C-172M, N509R, Andalusia, AL, December 20, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 20, 1985, 12:15 local (18:15 UTC)
- Place: Andalusia, AL
- Coordinates: 31.289064, -86.250091 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.2891&lon=-86.2501&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7047
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL86LA045
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7047/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL86LA045

## Sequence of events

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

- Miscellaneous/other, standing - starting engine(s)
  - electrical system,alternator - inoperative (contributing factor)
  - electrical system,battery - output low (contributing factor)
  - starting procedure - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - on ground/water, taxi
  - remedial action - not performed, unqualified person (contributing factor)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, taxi
  - terrain condition - ditch
  - remedial action - not performed, unqualified person (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT BATTERY POWER WAS DEPLETED. THE PLT HAND PROPPED THE ENGINE WITH HIS WIFE AT THE CONTROLS. THE ENGINE STARTED WITH THE THROTTLE ADVANCED AND ACFT TAXIED INTO TREES AND OVER AN EMBANKMENT. THE WIFE WAS NOT A RATED PILOT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N509R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N509R-2013-12-12), registration cancelled 2013-12-12, S/N 17266894 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA C-172M
- Registry model: [Cessna 172M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172m) (registry code 2072418) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17266894
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Daniel F. Simmons
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Departed: 79J, ANDALUIA, AL
- Airport: 79J, Andalusia-Opp

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 10,000 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point -0 °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 19851220065139A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19851220065139A), Dec 20, 1985: Cessna 172M, Andalusia, AL, Substantial damage. Pilot hand propped aircraft with non pilot at controls. Engine started,aircraft struck tree and nosed into a ditch.

## Other investigations on N509R (1)

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.

- [NTSB FTW02LA067](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW02LA067), Jan 15, 2002: Cessna 172 (N509R), Iraan, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing roll. Contributing factors were the pilot's selection of a downwind runway for landing, the tail wind condition, and his lack of…

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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