# NTSB ATL88FA069: Cessna 172M, N13609, Warner-Robins, GA, December 26, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: December 26, 1987, 10:10 local (15:10 UTC)
- Place: Warner-Robins, GA
- Coordinates: 32.609012, -83.569641 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.6090&lon=-83.5696&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report February 24, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7577
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL88FA069
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7577/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL88FA069

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - vfr flight into imc - continued, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - became lost/disoriented - inadvertent, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - tree(s)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE NON-IFR RATED PLT DPTD IN VFR WX. HE SUBSEQUENTLY ENCOUNTERED IFR WX SEVERAL HRS AFTER DEPARTURE AND ATTEMPTED TO CONTINUE ON TO HIS DESTINATION ARPT IN IFR CONDITIONS. HE MADE SEVERAL VOR APPROACHES TO THE DESTINATION ARPT. BUT WAS UNABLE TO VISUALLY LOCATE THE ARPT AND LAND. HE SUBSEQUENTLY OBTAINED ATC ASSISTANCE AND RECEIVED VECTORS TO ROBINS AFB IN WARNER-ROBINS. THE ENGINE LOST POWER DURING THE APPROACH AND THE ACFT CRASHED INTO TREES ABOUT 8 NM FROM ROBINS AFB. THE PLT STATED THAT THE ENGINE LOST PWR DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION. SUBSEQUENT EXAMINATION OF THE ACFT CONFIRMED THIS. THE PLT NOTED THAT HE SHOULD HAVE TURNED AROUND WHEN HE FIRST ENCOUNTERED THE IFR WX.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N13609](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N13609-1990-07-20), registration cancelled 1990-07-20, S/N 17262881 (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: 17262881
- Airframe hours: 2200
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: W. D. Griffith
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 4, 1986
- Departed: HWO, HOLLYWOOD, FL
- Destination: 02J, CORDELE, GA
- Airport: WRB, Robins Afb, runway 32, 12,000 × 300 ft

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,067 total, 615 in this make and model, 989 as pilot in command, 23 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 500 ft broken
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: WRB, 8 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 19871226071789A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19871226071789A), Dec 26, 1987: Cessna 172M, Warner Robins, GA, Destroyed. VFR pilot flying in IMC hit trees while making forced landing due to fuel exhaustion. ATC was vectoring PIC to wrb.

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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