# NTSB ATL89LA084: Cessna 172, N8121B, Galion, OH, February 1, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 1, 1989, 15:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: Galion, OH
- Coordinates: 40.729381, -82.789474 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.7294&lon=-82.7895&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 22, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7985
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL89LA084
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7985/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL89LA084

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO RETRACT THE FLAPS PRIOR TO ADDING POWER FOR TAKEOFF RESULTING IN A PREMATURE LIFT-OFF, AND THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTIAN CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE AFTER LIFT-OFF WHICH RESULTED IN A STALL/MUSH.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff
  - touch-and-go - performed, pilot in command
  - weather condition - tailwind
  - wind information - not obtained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - wrong runway - selected, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - raising of flaps - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - lift-off - premature, pilot in command (cause)
  - lift-off - uncontrolled, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - open field

## Analysis

THE AIRPLANE STALLED AND CRASHED SHORTLY AFTER A DOWNWIND TOUCH & GO LDG. THE PLT REPORTED THAT HE DID NOT CHECK THE ARPT WINDSOCK PRIOR TO THE LDG. THE AIRPLANE TOUCHED DOWN ABOUT 1/3 DOWN THE 3,500 FT RWY WITH FULL FLAPS (40 DEGREES). THE PLT THEN INITIATED T/O BY FIRST ADDING POWER. BEFORE HE COULD RAISE THE FLAPS THE AIRPLANE BECAME AIRBORNE & CLIMBED TO ABOUT 100 FT. HE THEN ELECTED TO LEAVE THE FLAPS DOWN BECAUSE OF LOW AIRSPEED AND THE POSSIBILITY OF STALLING. THE AIRPLANE BEGAN TO DESCEND, AND SUBSEQUENTLY IMPACTED THE GROUND WITH THE RT MAIN & NOSE LDG GEAR ABOUT 300 YDS SOUTH OF THE ARPT. A WITNESS REPORTED THAT THE AIRPLANE MAINTAINED A HIGH ANGLE OF ATTACK AS IT DESCENDED. THE PILOT NOTED THAT THE WIND HAD BEEN BLOWING FROM THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION EARLIER IN THE FLT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8121B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8121B-1992-02-25), registration cancelled 1992-02-25, S/N 29921 (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: 29921
- Airframe hours: 2147
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300-A 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Brode, Stephen H.
- Registered owner: Brode, Stephen H
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Departed: 4I9, MT. GILEAD, OH
- Airport: GQQ, Galion Municipal, runway 23, 3,500 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 100 total, 22 in this make and model, 72 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 10° at 13 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 45 °F, dew point 37 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MFD, 10 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 19890201001709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890201001709A), Feb 1, 1989: Cessna 172, Galion, OH, Substantial damage. Stalled and mushed to ground trying to make nose high go around with flaps full down and a downwind condition.

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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