# NTSB ATL86LA078: Cessna 172N, N1975E, Washington, NC, February 19, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 19, 1986, 13:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: Washington, NC
- Coordinates: 35.550975, -77.049667 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.5510&lon=-77.0497&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): 7068
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL86LA078
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7068/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL86LA078

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - brakes(normal) - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - flight controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - not corrected, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PILOT STATED THAT THE AIRCRAFT ENCOUNTERED A GUST OF WIND DURING LANDING FLARE CAUSING THE AIRCRAFT TO DRIFT TO THE LEFT UPON TOUCHDOWN. IN AN ATTEMPT TO CORRECT FOR THE DRIFT THE STUDENT PILOT APPLIED LEFT BRAKE PRESSURE AS WELL AS LEFT RUDDER PRESSURE AND THE AIRCRAFT ROLLED OFF THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY AND NOSED OVER IN THE SOFT SOIL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1975E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1975E-2014-08-15), registration cancelled 2014-08-15, S/N 17271107, built 1978 (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: 17271107
- Airframe hours: 2467
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 SERIES 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Down East Aviation, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, January 1, 1986, 38 hours before
- Departed: OWC, WASHINGTON, NC
- Airport: OCW, Warren Fld, runway 23, 5,000 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: unknown, unknown; seat: left; flight hours: 48 total, 14 in this make and model, 6 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 5° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19860219004739A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860219004739A), Feb 19, 1986: Cessna 172N, Washington, NC, Substantial damage. Misapplied brakes to correct drift during touchdown. Veered off side of runway, went onto nose, then back on mains

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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