# NTSB ATL88LA003: Cessna 172N, N5266E, Thomson, GA, October 3, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 3, 1987, 14:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: Thomson, GA
- Coordinates: 33.460582, -82.500251 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.4606&lon=-82.5003&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 16, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7648
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL88LA003
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7648/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL88LA003

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft performance,landing capability - exceeded (contributing factor)
  - remedial action - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - aborted
  - terrain condition - rising

## Analysis

DURING THE LDG ROLL ON RWY 28, A CROSSWIND GUST CAUSED THE AIRPLANE TO BECOME AIRBORNE AGAIN. THE PLT ADDED FULL PWR AND ATTEMPTED TO ABORT THE LDG. THE AIRPLANE SUBSEQUENTLY DRIFTED TO THE DOWNWIND SIDE OF THE RUNWAY AND IMPACTED RISING TERRAIN. THE PLT REPORTED THAT HE WAS AWARE OF THE GUSTY CROSSWIND CONDITIONS AT THE ARPT PRIOR TO THE LDG. HE ESTIMATED THAT THE WINDS AT THE TIME WERE FROM 340 DEG AT 15-20 KTS, WITH UNKNOWN VELOCITY GUSTS. A WX REPORTING STATION 30 NM AWAY REPORTED WINDS FROM 360 DEG AT 18KTS, WITH GUSTS OF 25 KTS. THE CESSNA 172M POH STATES THAT THE MAX ALLOWABLE X-WIND VELOCITY DEPENDS UPON PLT CAPABILITY AS WELL AS ACFT LIMITATIONS. THE POH NOTES THAT DIRECT X-WINDS OF 15 KTS CAN BE HANDLED SAFELY W/AVG PLT TECHNIQUE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5266E](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5266E), registered now, S/N 17271805, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172N
- 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: 17271805
- Airframe hours: 3006
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Silver Wings Enterprises,Inc.
- Registered owner: Silver Wings Enterprises Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, April 24, 1987, 3 hours before
- Airport: 48J, Thomson Mcduffie County, runway 27, 5,000 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 800 total, 387 in this make and model, 728 as pilot in command, 109 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 18 knots, gusting 25
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 37 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: AGS, 30 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 19871003058489A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19871003058489A), Oct 3, 1987: Cessna 172N, Thomson, GA, Substantial damage. Lost directional on rollout. Attempted to go around. Aircraft settled onto ground. Gear impacted rising terrain.

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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