# NTSB ATL87LA127: Cessna 172N, N4678G, Union Grove, NC, April 27, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 27, 1987, 15:15 local (19:15 UTC)
- Place: Union Grove, NC
- Coordinates: 36.019824, -80.859169 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.0198&lon=-80.8592&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 5, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7419
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL87LA127
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7419/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL87LA127

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - wet (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE PLT REPORTED THAT HE WAS ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A SOFT-FIELD LDG IN A PLOWED FIELD AT A FRIEND'S FARM. HE HAD NOT LANDED THERE PREVIOUSLY. AFTER INITIAL TOUCHDOWN WAS MADE ON THE MAIN LDG GEAR, THE NOSEWHEEL DUG INTO A RISE IN THE TERRAIN AND THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER INVERTED. THE PLT NOTED THAT THE FIELD WAS MUDDY AT THE TIME.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4678G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4678G-2012-12-11), registration cancelled 2012-12-11, S/N 17273304 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172N
- Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17273304
- Airframe hours: 2931
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Missionary Aviation Institute
- Registered owner: Lester Burnette
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: 100 hour, January 13, 1987, 40 hours before
- Departed: 31A, MOCKSMILLE, NC

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 21; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 81 total, 80 in this make and model, 28 as pilot in command, 19 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 18,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 64 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: INT, 30 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 19870427011629A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870427011629A), Apr 27, 1987: Cessna 172N, Union Grove, NC, Substantial damage. The aircraft nosed over during a landing in a muddy, plowed field. Field was on a friends farm.

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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