# NTSB ATL86LA249: Cessna 172N, N4892G, Fuguay-Varina, NC, September 7, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 6, 1986, 22:33 local (Sep 7, 1986, 02:33 UTC)
- Place: Fuguay-Varina, NC
- Coordinates: 35.53907, -78.830886 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.5391&lon=-78.8309&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7185
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL86LA249
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7185/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL86LA249

## 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)
  - object - tree(s)
  - weather condition - fog
  - go-around - attempted, pilot in command
  - maneuver - inaccurate, pilot in command
  - pull-up - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper climb rate - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

PLT SAID HE SAW FOG AROUND RWY LIGHTS AS HE FLEW OVER AIRPORT TO ENTER DOWNWIND LEG FOR RWY 16. ON SHORT FINAL, BELOW LEVEL OF TREES THAT BORDERED RWY EAST SIDE. HE LOST GROUND REFERENCES. FLAPS WERE RETRACTED TO REDUCE DRAG BUT ACFT WAS NOT ACCELERATED TO BEST RATE OF CLIMB SPEED. PITCH ATTITUDE WAS NOT PROPERLY POSITIONED TO ACCOUNT FOR FLAP RETRACTION. ACFT DID NOT CLIMB AND STRUCK TREES ATO EAST OF RWY. PLT SAID HEADING WAS MIANTAINED ON 160 DEGREES. HE TOLD FAA INSPECTOR THAT HEADING INDICATOR WAS RESET DURING THE APPROACH AND TURN TO RWY 16.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N4892G (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172N
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17273439
- Airframe hours: 2072
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Harnett Aviation, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: 100 hour, May 13, 1986, 95 hours before
- Departed: MRH, MOREHEAD CITY, NC
- Airport: 5W5, Triple W Air Park, runway 16, 3,004 × 70 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 339 total, 150 in this make and model, 303 as pilot in command, 27 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 30° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: RDU, 15 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 19860906044789A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860906044789A), Sep 6, 1986: Cessna 172N, Dfw Tx, Substantial damage. The aircraft struck trees during a night go around. Fog obscured pilots vision and he delayed go around decision.

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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