# NTSB ATL89LA107: Cessna 172N, N73944, Swainsboro, GA, March 16, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 16, 1989, 18:30 local (23:30 UTC)
- Place: Swainsboro, GA
- Coordinates: 32.590744, -82.33068 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.5907&lon=-82.3307&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 11, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8000
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL89LA107
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8000/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL89LA107

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S DECISION TO LAND AT AN UNLIGHTED AIRSTRIP IN LOW LIGHT CONDITIONS, AND HER SUBSEQUENT, INADVERTENT SELECTIONOF UNSUITABLE TERRAIN BORDERING THE RUNWAY.

## Sequence of events

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

- Nose over, landing - roll
  - light condition - dusk (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of familiarity with geographic area, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - soft
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PLT WAS ATTEMPTING TO LAND AT THE UNLIGHTED, TURF AIRSTRIP IN DUSK LIGHT CONDITIONS. THE AIRPLANE TOUCHED DOWN IN PLOWED DIRT BORDERING THE RWY AND NOSED OVER DURING ROLLOUT. THE PLT HAD NO PREVIOUS FLT EXPERIENCE AT THE AIRSTRIP. EXAMINATION OF AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE AIRSTRIP REVEALED THAT THE DIRT AREA WAS APPROXIMATELY THE SAME LENGTH & WIDTH AS THE RWY, AND LIGHTER IN COLOR THAN THE RWY & SURROUNDING TERRAIN. THE DIRT AREA STOOD OUT IN CONTRAST COMPARED TO THE RWY AND OTHER SURROUNDING TERRAIN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N73944 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172N
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17267760
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Ostrom, Virginia E.
- Registered owner: Ostrom, Virginia E
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Departed: PDK, CHAMBLEE, GA
- Airport: NONE, Josh Lewis, runway 36, 4,000 × 100 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 328 total, 198 in this make and model, 235 as pilot in command, 21 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 280° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 63 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19890316003969A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890316003969A), Mar 16, 1989: Cessna 172N, Swainsboro, GA, Substantial damage. Landed at dusk in plowed dirt off side of the unlighted sod runway. Nose gear dug in and aircraft nosed over.

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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