# NTSB ATL89LA021: Cessna 172M, N1275U, Hilton Head Is., SC, October 30, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 30, 1988, 16:30 local (21:30 UTC)
- Place: Hilton Head Is., SC
- Coordinates: 32.159042, -80.760284 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.1590&lon=-80.7603&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 24, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7945
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL89LA021
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7945/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL89LA021

## Analysis

THE PLT REPORTED THAT THE AIRPLANE LOST POWER SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF. A FORCED LDG WAS SUBSEQUENTLY MADE IN A SWAMP NEAR THE ARPT. THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER DURING ROLLOUT. POST-CRASH EXAM OF THE AIRPLANE REVEALED THAT THE THROTTLE CABLE OUTER CASING HAD BECOME BRITTLE AND DISINTEGRATED, RESULTING IN A LOSS OF THROTTLE CONTROL. CRACKS WERE VISIBLE ON REMAINING PORTIONS OF THE OUTER CASING. EXAM OF THE ACFT MAINTENANCE LOGBOOKS REVEALED THAT THE ACFT HAD UNDERGONE A 100 HR INSPECTION 2 MONTHS BEFORE THE ACCIDENT. THE ACFT OPERATING TIME SINCE THE INSPECTION WAS ABOUT 47 HRS. FURTHER EXAM OF THE LOGBOOKS REVEALED NO ENTRIES PERTAINING TO THE REMOVAL OR REPLACEMENT OF THE CABLE SINCE THE ACFT WAS NEW. TOTAL TIME ON THE ACFT WAS 3,939 HRS, BASED ON TACH TIME. 14 CFR 43, APPENDIX D REQUIRES THAT ENGINE CONTROLS BE INSPECTED FOR DEFECTS DURING 100 HR INSPECTIONS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, takeoff - initial climb
  - throttle/power lever,cable - cracked (cause)
  - throttle/power lever,cable - disintegrated (cause)
  - maintenance,100-hour inspection - inadequate, other maintenance personnel (cause)
  - maintenance,replacement - not performed, other maintenance personnel (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - wet (contributing factor)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1275U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1275U-1992-03-06), registration cancelled 1992-03-06, S/N 17266970 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172M
- Registry model: [Cessna 172M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172m) (registry code 2072418) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17266970
- Airframe hours: 3939
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Mack, Oscar C.
- Registered owner: Mack, Oscar C
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, August 30, 1988, 47 hours before
- Departed: 49J, HILTON HEAD IS., SC
- Destination: 3J1, RIDGELAND, SC

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 124 total, 88 in this make and model, 71 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F

## 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 19881030048559A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19881030048559A), Oct 30, 1988: Cessna 172M, Hilton Island, SC, Substantial damage. Engine lost power on climbout. Nosed over in a swamp landing. Throttle cable housing allowed throttle malfunction.

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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