# NTSB ATL87LA058: Cessna 172G, N3971L, Tuskegee, AL, January 9, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 8, 1987, 18:40 local (Jan 9, 1987, 00:40 UTC)
- Place: Tuskegee, AL
- Coordinates: 32.419055, -85.710235 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.4191&lon=-85.7102&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 21, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7368
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL87LA058
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7368/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL87LA058

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - fuel system,filter - contamination (cause)
  - fuel system,carburetor - contamination (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Overrun, landing - roll
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - airport/facilities - unavailable
  - terrain condition - ditch

## Analysis

DURING A TOUCH AND GO ATTEMPT, THE PILOT EXPERIENDED AN ENGINE FAILURE SHORTLY AFTER LIFTOFF. THE PILOT SAFELY LANDED ON THE RUNWAY, BUT DID NOT HAVE SUFFICIENT RUNWAY TO STOP THE AIRCRAFT BEFORE RUNNING OFF THE DEPARTURE END OF 31. THE AIRCRAFT NOSED OVER INTO A DITCH. THE WRECKAGE EXAMINATION DISCLOSED THAT VISIBLE CONTAMINATES WERE PRESENT IN THE FUEL FILTER AND CARBURETOR BOWL. THERE WAS AN UNDISCLOSED AMOUNT OF FUEL FOUND IN THE FUEL SYSTEM.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3971L](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3971L), registered now, S/N 17254140 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172G
- Registry model: [Cessna 172G](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172g) (registry code 2072420) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17254140
- Airframe hours: 3712
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300-D 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Charles A. Anderson
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 22, 1985, 160 hours before
- Airport: 06A, Tuskegee, runway 31, 5,000 ×  ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 80; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 50,000 total, 10,000 in this make and model, 50 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MGM, 43 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 19870108000239A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870108000239A), Jan 8, 1987: Cessna 172G, Tuskegee, AL, Substantial damage. The engine failed during a touch and go. The aircraft overshot the runway and flipped. Fuel contamintion.

## Other investigations on N3971L (2)

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 WPR24FA035](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24FA035), Nov 14, 2023: Cessna 172G (N3971L), Provo, UT, substantial damage, 2 fatal. Probable cause: The pilot's exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack during a chandelle maneuver, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and descent into trees and terrain. Contributing to the accident…
- [NTSB MIA67D0117](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA67D0117), Jul 29, 1966: Cessna 172 (N3971L), Nashville, GA, substantial damage

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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