# NTSB ATL87LA167: Cessna 172M, N9355H, Sylva, NC, June 12, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 12, 1987, 12:55 local (16:55 UTC)
- Place: Sylva, NC
- Coordinates: 35.369152, -83.220718 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.3692&lon=-83.2207&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 31, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7449
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL87LA167
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7449/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL87LA167

## Sequence of events

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

- Abrupt maneuver, maneuvering
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, dual student (contributing factor)
  - lack of total experience, dual student (contributing factor)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
- In flight collision with object, go-around (vfr)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command(cfi)
  - object - tree(s)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE CFI INSTRUCTED HIS LOW-TIME BEGINNING STUDENT TO MAKE A NORMAL APPCH TO THE RWY, AND FLY DOWN THE RWY AT ABOUT 10 FT ABOVE THE RWY SURFACE WHILE MAINTAINING RWY HDG. THE CFI STATED THAT THE PURPOSE OF THE MANEUVER WAS '...TO HELP THE STUDENT IMPROVE HIS DIRECTIONAL CONTROL AND CORRECT FOR THE CROSS WIND'. THE CFI TOLD THE STUDENT THAT HE WOULD HANDLE THE THROTTLE DURING THE MANEUVER. THE AIRPLANE SUBSEQUENTLY ENCOUNTERED A GUST OF WIND WHILE OVER THE RWY AND ROLLED SHARPLY TO THE RIGHT. THE CFI ASSUMED CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE AND APPLIED FULL-UP ELEVATOR TO CLEAR A HILL LOCATED ADJACENT TO THE RWY. THE AIRPLANE CONTACTED TREETOPS AS IT CLEARED THE HILL, AND SUBSEQUENTLY SETTLED INTO TREES ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE HILL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9355H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9355H-1989-11-15), registration cancelled 1989-11-15, S/N 17266112 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172M
- Registry model: [Cessna 172M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172m) (registry code 2072418) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17266112
- Airframe hours: 3250
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Ernest C. Jones
- Registered owner: Ernest C Jones
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, April 7, 1987, 63 hours before
- Airport: 24A, Jackson County, runway 32, 2,900 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 63; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 19,000 total, 4,000 in this make and model, 15,000 as pilot in command, 340 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 5 knots, gusting 12
- Visibility: 10 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 19870612028329A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870612028329A), Jun 12, 1987: Cessna 172M, Sylva, NC, Substantial damage. Encountered turbulence during a low pass over the runway and struck trees adjacent to the runway. Wind drift demo.

## Other investigations on N9355H (1)

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 MIA79DLA22](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA79DLA22), Mar 29, 1979: Cessna 172 (N9355H), St Augustine, FL, 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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