# NTSB ATL87LA211: Cessna 172M, N80929, Raleigh, NC, July 14, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 14, 1987, 08:47 local (12:47 UTC)
- Place: Raleigh, NC
- Coordinates: 35.830646, -78.830009 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.8306&lon=-78.8300&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report October 7, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7482
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL87LA211
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7482/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL87LA211

## Sequence of events

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

- Vortex turbulence encountered, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - proper touchdown point - not selected, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS VECTORED FOR LANDING ON RUNWAY 23R BEHIND A BOEING 727. THE APPROACH CONTROLLER ADVISED THE PILOT THAT HE COULD LAND ON 23L IF HE PREFERRED BUT THE PILOT ELECTED TO CONTINUE WITH THE APPROACH TO 23R. THE TOWER CONTROLLER CLEARED THE FLIGHT TO LAND ON 23R AND ISSUED THE REMINDER 'CAUTION WAKE TURBULENCE'. THE FLIGHT ENCOUNTERED WAKE TURBULENCE WHEN OVER THE RUNWAY IN THE LANDING CONFIGURATION AND THE AIRCRAFT WAS FLIPPED INVERTED BEFORE IT CRASHED. SURFACE WINDS WERE FROM 250 DEGREES AT 4 KNOTS VELOCITY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N80929](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N80929-1989-01-26), registration cancelled 1989-01-26, S/N 17266805 (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: 172M66805
- Airframe hours: 3584
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: John W. Strickland
- Registered owner: Cloud Cappers Flying Club, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 28, 1986, 308 hours before
- Departed: 8A6, CHARLOTTE, NC
- Airport: RDU, Raleigh-Durham, runway 23R, 10,000 × 150 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,200 total, 650 in this make and model, 30 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 250° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: RDU

## 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 19870714034709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870714034709A), Jul 14, 1987: Cessna 172M, Raleigh-Durham, NC, Destroyed. Aircraft was flipped over on final by wake turbulence from a heavy jet that had just turned off runway from landing

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.