# NTSB ATL89DMG02: Cessna 172P, N98990, Mooresville, NC, January 24, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report
- Date: January 24, 1989, 18:39 local (23:39 UTC)
- Place: Mooresville, NC
- Coordinates: 35.569446, -80.810554 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.5694&lon=-80.8106&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report June 28, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7848
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL89DMG02
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7848/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL89DMG02

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED ON FINAL APPROACH TO LAND, WHICH RESULTED IN AN INADVERTENT STALL.  FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE:  CARBURETOR ICING CONDITIONS, NIGHT CONDITIONS, AND THE PILOT'S DECISION TO LAND AT AN UNLIGHTED RUNWAY.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (contributing factor)
  - performed, pilot in command
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - airport facilities,runway edge lights - unavailable (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, approach

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT DURING FLIGHT, THE AIRCRAFT DEVELOPED CARBURETOR ICE. HE DECIDED TO MAKE A SHORT FIELD LANDING AT A NEARBY AIRPORT. SUBSEQUENTLY, WHILE MANEUVERING TO LAND, THE AIRCRAFT STALLED & IMPACTED THE GROUND. IT CAME TO REST ABOUT 30 FT FROM THE IMPACT POINT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N98990](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N98990-1989-06-28), registration cancelled 1989-06-28, S/N 17276392 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172P
- Registry model: [Cessna 172P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172p) (registry code 2072436) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17276392
- Airframe hours: 1506
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D2J 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Floyd L. Fulford
- Registered owner: Fulford, Floyd L.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 1, 1988, 1,506 hours before
- Departed: SVH, STATESVILLE, NC
- Airport: 8A2, Miller, Nc, runway 18, 2,060 × 100 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 206 total, 49 in this make and model, 173 as pilot in command, 17 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 140° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: HKY, 40 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 19890124001189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890124001189A), Jan 24, 1989: Cessna 172P, Mooresville, NC, Substantial damage. Flew into ground left wing low trying to land on a unlit runway after dark. Impact severed gear and damaged wings.

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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