# NTSB ATL88LA021: Cessna 172P, N4946G, Swainsboro, GA, October 23, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 23, 1987, 14:30 local (18:30 UTC)
- Place: Swainsboro, GA
- Coordinates: 32.590244, -82.33023 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.5902&lon=-82.3302&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 17, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7663
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL88LA021
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7663/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL88LA021

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, descent - normal
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - proper descent rate - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - landing gear,main gear strut - overload
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE ACFT WAS BEING RETURNED TO ITS HOME BASE FOLLOWING A 100 HOUR INSPECTION. THE PLT REPORTED THAT THE ENG QUIT AS HE WAS DESCENDING PRIOR TO TRAFFIC PATTERN ENTRY. AN OFF AIRPORT LANDING WAS ATTEMPTED. THE LANDING GEAR WAS EXTENSIVELYDAMAGED AND THE AIRCRAFT NOSED OVER. EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED NO FUEL IN THE CARBURETOR OR THE GASCOLATOR. FUEL WAS FOUND IN THE TANKS AND NO BLOCKAGES WERE FOUND. ACTIVATION OF THE FUEL SELECTOR PRODUCED FUEL TO THE SYSTEM.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4946G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4946G-2012-12-18), registration cancelled 2012-12-18, S/N 17273493, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172P
- 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: 17273493
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Air Sinclair, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, October 23, 1987, 1 hours before
- Departed: DBN, DUBLIN, GA
- Airport: SBO, Emanuel Co

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 24; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 601 total, 88 in this make and model, 482 as pilot in command, 138 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 130° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 18 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MCN, 62 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 19871023060529A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19871023060529A), Oct 23, 1987: Cessna 172N, Swainsboro, GA, Substantial damage. Forced landing due to power loss. Nosed over landing in a field. No engine defects. Possible failure to clear engine.

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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