# NTSB ATL87LA238: Cessna 172M, N64191, Marietta, GA, August 24, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 24, 1987, 14:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: Marietta, GA
- Coordinates: 33.950176, -84.539299 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.9502&lon=-84.5393&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 11, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7504
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL87LA238
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7504/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL87LA238

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - uncontrolled
- Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, landing

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PLT WAS RETURNING TO HIS HOME AIRPORT AFTER RECEIVING A NOTICE OF DISAPPROVAL FOR HIS PVT PLT PRACTICAL TEST. WHILE ON FINAL APCH TO LAND, HE NOTED A QUARTERING X-WIND & ELECTED TO USE THE CRAB METHOD FOR CONTROLLING DRIFT. JUST BEFORE TOUCHDOWN, HE REMOVED THE CRAB & TOUCHED DOWN IN A RIGHT DRIFT. HE SAID HE APPLIED LEFT RUDDER & THE ACFT COMPLETED A 360 DEG LEFT TURN (GROUND LOOP) ON THE RWY. THE PROP & RGT WING WERE DAMAGED DURING THE OCCURRENCE.THE 1402 WIND AT MARIETTA, GA WAS FROM 280 DEG AT 2 KTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N64191](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N64191), registered now, S/N 17265076, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172M
- Registry model: [Cessna 172M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172m) (registry code 2072418) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 172 65076
- Airframe hours: 2225
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: U.S. Navy Flying Club
- Registered owner: Robert D. Skelton
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, August 12, 1987, 18 hours before
- Departed: 4A4, CEDARTOWN, GA
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: NCQ, Nas Atlanta, runway 11, 10,000 × 300 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 20; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 86 total, 36 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 280° at 2 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MGE

## 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 19870824080289A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870824080289A), Aug 24, 1987: Cessna 172M, Marietta, GA, Substantial damage. Student pilot landed aircraft in a crab angle. Lost control and ground looped. Damaged a wing spar.

## Other investigations on N64191 (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 CHI77DEV08](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI77DEV08), Jan 9, 1977: Cessna 172M (N64191), Champaign, IL, 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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