# NTSB ATL89FA182: Cessna 172G, N4254L, Ridgeland, SC, July 20, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 20, 1989, 14:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: Ridgeland, SC
- Coordinates: 32.479591, -80.980003 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.4796&lon=-80.9800&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed, report April 15, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7907
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL89FA182
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7907/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL89FA182

## Probable cause

IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND (PIC), WHICH RESULTED IN AN INADVERTENT STALL DURING TAKEOFF.  FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE:  THE EXCESSIVE GROSS WEIGHT AND IMPROPER LIFT-OFF BY THE PIC, THE PILOT/PASSENGER'S IMPROPER CREW COORDINATION REGARDING THE SPECIFIC INSTRUCTIONS THAT HE RECEIVED CONCERNING THE PAYLOAD LIMITATIONS, AND THE HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE.

## 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
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft weight and balance - exceeded, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - crew/group coordination - inadequate, pilot passenger (contributing factor)
  - lift-off - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff

## Analysis

TWO PLTS WERE SEATED AT THE CONTROLS. THE RIGHT FRONT SEAT PLT HAD RENTED THE ACFT; HE HAD 59 HRS TOTAL FLT TIME, OF WHICH, 3 HRS WAS IN THE CESSNA 172.  THE LEFT FRONT SEAT PLT (NORMAL PSN FOR THE PIC) HAD 120 HRS OF FLT TIME, OF WHICH, 52 HRS WAS IN THE CESSNA 172.  BEFORE RENTING THE ACFT, THE RIGHT FRONT SEAT PLT WAS TOLD OF THE ACFT'S LIMITED PAYLOAD & RWY LENGTH REQUIREMENTS DUE TO THE AUXILIARY FUEL CAPACITY.  THE ACFT HAD BEEN REFUELED TO  ITS CAPACITY AT THE EN ROUTE ARPT.  DURING TAKEOFF FROM THE 3100 FT RWY, THE ACFT LIFTED OFF, SETTLED BACK ONTO RWY & LIFTED OFF AGAIN. THE ACFT CLIMBED WITH A STEEP NOSE HIGH ATTITUDE TO ABOUT 200 TO 250 FT, THEN IT ENTERED A STEEP DSCNT & CRASHED.  THE WIND WAS RPRTD TO BE ALIGNED WITH THE RWY AT 10 KTS & THE TEMP WAS ABOUT 90 DEG.   THE ACFT WAS ESTD TO HAVE BEEN LOADED ABOUT 120 LBS OVER ITS MAX WT LIMIT. NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION OF THE ACFT WAS FOUND.  DENSITY ALT WAS APRX 2100 FT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4254L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4254L-1990-06-19), registration cancelled 1990-06-19, S/N 17254323 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172G
- Registry model: [Cessna 172G](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172g) (registry code 2072420) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17254323
- Airframe hours: 2212
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300-D 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Gordon Air Services
- Registered owner: Dawn Jones
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, July 11, 1989, 16 hours before
- Departed: 3J1
- Destination: TMB, MIAMI, FL
- Airport: 3J1, Ridgeland, runway 21, 3,100 × 70 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 24; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 120 total, 52 in this make and model, 66 as pilot in command, 21 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 20° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: NBC, 18 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 19890720026329A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890720026329A), Jul 20, 1989: Cessna 172G, Ridgeland, SC, Destroyed, 3 fatal. Near gross weight and hot day. Settled on liftoff,continued in nose high climbout to clear trees,stalled and crashed

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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