# NTSB ATL89FA081: Cessna 172, N5834A, Hartsville, TN, January 21, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: January 21, 1989, 12:03 local (18:03 UTC)
- Place: Hartsville, TN
- Coordinates: 36.200874, -86.320854 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.2009&lon=-86.3209&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report May 22, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7875
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL89FA081
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7875/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL89FA081

## Probable cause

THE PILOT ALLOWING THE AIRCRAFT TO LIFT-OFF PREMATURLY AT A SLOW AIRSPEED AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL BEFORE INADVERTENTLY ENTERING A STALL. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S EXPERIENCE LEVEL AND LACK OF QUALIFICATIONS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - lift-off - premature, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed(vr) - below, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

TAKEOFF WAS FROM A PRIVATE STRIP IN A COW PASTURE. THE 1ST HALF OF THE STRIP WAS ON THE CROWN OF A HILL. IT SLOPED DOWN PAST THE MID-POINT OF THE RWY. THE PAX IN THE REAR SEAT SURVIVED & RPTED THAT DURING TAKEOFF THE AIRPLANE HIT A LITTLE DITCH, BECAME AIRBORNE, TURNED LEFT, & CLIMBED WITH A NOSE HIGH ATTITUDE. THE ENG 'DID NOT MISS A LICK,' HE SAID. THE PLT'S WIFE WATCHED THE TAKEOFF & SAID WHEN THE ACFT LIFTED OFF THE GROUND IT STARTED A LEFT TURN & THEN COLLIDED WITH A TREE ABOUT 300 YARDS FROM THE LIFT-OFF POINT. AFTER THE COLLISION THE AIRPLANE CONTINUED TO TURN LEFT & HIT THE GROUND NOSE FIRST, VERTICALLY. EXAMINATION OF THE AIRCRAFT AND ENGINE DID NOT REVEAL ANY PRE-IMPACT MALFUNCTIONS THAT WOULD HAVE AFFECTED THE FLIGHT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5834A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5834A-1991-04-11), registration cancelled 1991-04-11, S/N 28434 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- Registry model: [Cessna 172](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172) (registry code 2072402) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28434
- Airframe hours: 3257
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300-B 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Harold Wayne Gregory
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 1, 1988, 6 hours before
- Airport: Private, runway 27, 1,320 ×  ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 33 total, 33 in this make and model, 21 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 60° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 39 °F, dew point 18 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: BNA, 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 19890121000939A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890121000939A), Jan 21, 1989: Cessna 172, Hartsville, TN, Substantial damage, 2 fatal. Lifted off short strip, drifted left off runway,wing hit a tree, impacted vertical. Engine showed poor maintenance.

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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