# NTSB ATL87LA138: Cessna 172-N, N739QF, Walhalla, SC, May 16, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 16, 1987, 16:30 local (20:30 UTC)
- Place: Walhalla, SC
- Coordinates: 34.770942, -83.059005 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.7709&lon=-83.0590&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor, 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 5, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7426
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL87LA138
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7426/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL87LA138

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, maneuvering
  - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (contributing factor)
  - carburetor heat - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, descent
  - object - tree(s)
  - aircraft handling - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly

## Analysis

DURING A LOCAL SIGHTSEEING FLIGHT THE PLT TRIMMED THE AIRCRAFT TO A SLOW FLIGHT CONFIGURATION, AND CIRCLED A LAKE IN THE MOUNTAINS OF SOUTH CAROLINA AT AN ALT OF APPROX 1,000 FT AGL. THE AIRCRAFT WAS NEAR MAX GROSS WEIGHT AND THE GROUND TEMP WAS 82 DEG F. THE PLT REPORTED THAT HE APPLIED FULL THROTTLE AND RAISED THE WING FLAPS; HOWEVER, THE ENGINE DID NOT RESPOND AND THE AIRCRAFT STARTED A GRADUAL DESCENT. THE PILOT STATED THAT THE ENGINE WOULD NOT PRODUCE MORE THAN 2,000 RPM AS THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH TREES AND TERRAIN. THE ENGINE WAS GROUND TESTED AND OPERATED TO FULL STATIC RPM. THE REPORTED LACK OF FULL RPM IN FLIGHT WAS NOT DETERMINED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N739QF](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N739QF-2013-05-07), registration cancelled 2013-05-07, S/N 17270715, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172-N
- 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: 17270715
- Airframe hours: 982
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Sky Buddies, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 16, 1987, 3 hours before
- Departed: GMU, GREENVILLE, SC

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 126 total, 47 in this make and model, 95 as pilot in command, 23 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 20° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 63 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: GSP

## 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 19870516013629A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870516013629A), May 16, 1987: Cessna 172N, Walhalla, SC, Destroyed. The aircraft struck trees after a partial loss of engine power. Suspect pilot got below power curve low altitude.

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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