# NTSB ATL89FA114: Boeing A75N1, N55530, Covington, GA, March 26, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: March 26, 1989, 14:49 local (19:49 UTC)
- Place: Covington, GA
- Location: 33.6054° N, 83.8466° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Covington, GA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.6054&lon=-83.8466&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report July 9, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7884
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL89FA114
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7884/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL89FA114

## Probable cause

INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT BY THE PILOT BY INADVERTENTLY ALLOWING THE CARBURETOR HEAT TO BE IN THE 'HOT' POSITION FOR TAKEOFF. THE HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE AND TREES WERE CONSIDERED TO BE CONTRIBUTING FACTORS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - carburetor heat - inadvertent use, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, takeoff
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT REPORTED THAT THE ENGINE GRADUALLY BEGAN TO LOSE PWR JUST AFTER TAKEOFF. THE AIRPLANE BEGAN TO DESCEND, AND SUBSEQUENTLY CRASHED INTO TREES NEAR THE END OF THE RWY. A POST-CRASH EXAM OF THE ACFT REVEALED THAT THE CARB HEAT CONTROL WAS IN THE 'HOT' POSITION. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE DID NOT USE CARB HEAT DURING THE FLT, OR DURING PRE-FLT RUN-UP. FURTHER EXAM OF THE ACFT AFTER REMOVAL FROM THE CRASH SITE REVEALED IMPACT-RELATED MARKS ON CARB-HEAT CONTROL PUSH-PULL ROD SYSTEM, WHICH INDICATED THAT THE CONTROL WAS IN THE 'HOT' POSITION AT THE TIME OF IMPACT. THE CARB HEAT CONTROL WAS NOT READILY VISIBLE TO THE PLT, DUE TO ITS LOCATION. EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF ANY PRE-EXISTING MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE. NO EVIDENCE OF CONTAMINATION WAS FOUND IN THE AIRPLANE FUEL SUPPLY OR SYSTEM. THE AMBIENT AIR TEMP WAS RPRTD TO BE 80 DEG; THE DENSITY ALT WAS ESTIMATED TO BE 2700 FT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N55530](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N55530), registered now, S/N 75-4472, built 1943 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BOEING A75N1
- Registry model: [Boeing A75N1(PT17)](https://openairdocs.org/model/boeing-a75n1-pt17) (registry code 1380134) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental W670 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-w670-series) (registry code 17018, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 75-4472
- Airframe hours: 5289
- Engines: LYCOMING R-680-B4E 225 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Grover L. Anderson
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic
- Last inspection: Annual, October 2, 1988, 38 hours before
- Airport: 9A1, Covington Muni, runway 27, 4,200 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: rear; flight hours: 811 total, 25 in this make and model, 811 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 130° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ATL, 28 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 19890326011129A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890326011129A), Mar 26, 1989: Boeing A75N1, Covington, GA, Substantial damage. Took off with carburetor heat in on position. Stalled and crashed into trees trying to avoid trees on slow climbout

## Other investigations on N55530 (1)

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.

- [NTSB MIA69F0063](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA69F0063), Jul 13, 1968: Boeing A75N1 (N55530), Clanton, AL, substantial damage

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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