# NTSB ATL89LA049: Cessna 172M, N92388, Griffin, GA, December 2, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 2, 1988, 10:35 local (15:35 UTC)
- Place: Griffin, GA
- Coordinates: 33.289161, -84.280265 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.2892&lon=-84.2803&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report January 4, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7965
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL89LA049
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7965/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL89LA049

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach - vfr pattern - base leg/base to final
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - fuel system,primer system - unlocked (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - emergency procedure - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

AFTER A PREFLIGHT AND RUNUP THE PILOT MADE A TAKEOFF AND REMAINED IN CLOSED TRAFFIC FOR LANDING PRACTICE. ON DOWNWIND, OPPOSITE THE DESIRED POINT OF TOUCHDOWN, HE RETARDED POWER, APPLIED CARB HEAT AND SLOWED THE AIRPLANE. TURNING BASE, THE ACFT LOST POWER. THE PILOT SELECTED A SITE FOR THE FORCED LANDING AND THE ACFT NOSED OVER DURING THE LANDING. THE PRIMER WAS FOUND IN THE FULL OUT POSITION AND THE LEFT FUEL CAP WAS MISSING. TWO CYLINDERS HAD THE BOTTOM PLUGS FOULED BY RAW FUEL. THE PLT HAD RENTED THE 172 TO PRACTICE FOR HIS BFR WHICH WAS DUE BY THE END OF THE MONTH. THE PILOT'S PRIVATE PILOT CERTIFICATE HAD BEEN ISSUED IN DECEMBER 1986.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N92388](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N92388-1991-04-11), registration cancelled 1991-04-11, S/N 17261571 (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: 17261571
- Airframe hours: 3369
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Syndrome Fighters, Inc
- Registered owner: Syndrome Fighters, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 11, 1988, 73 hours before
- Airport: 6A2, Griffin Spalding Co., runway 31, 3,300 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 65 total, 7 in this make and model, 33 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 310° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 43 °F, dew point 19 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ATL, 26 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 19881202052489A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19881202052489A), Dec 2, 1988: Cessna 172M, Griffin, GA, Substantial damage. Engine quit turning base. Nosed over in a field with tall vegetation. Fuel primer full open. Left fuel cap missing.

## Other investigations on N92388 (2)

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 ATL85LA019](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL85LA019), Oct 24, 1984: Cessna 172M (N92388), Griffin, GA, substantial damage
- [NTSB ATL80FLG19](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL80FLG19), Sep 5, 1980: Cessna 172M (N92388), Manning, SC, 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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