# NTSB ATL89LA127: Cessna 172, N4898G, Xenia, OH, April 12, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 12, 1989, 16:35 local (20:35 UTC)
- Place: Xenia, OH
- Coordinates: 39.680351, -83.940841 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.6804&lon=-83.9408&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 24, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8014
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL89LA127
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8014/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL89LA127

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER IN-FLIGHT PLANNING/DECISION AND IMPROPER USE OF THE FLAPS. CONTRIBUTING WAS THE DOWNDRAFT.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - raising of flaps - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT RPRTD THE ACFT ENCOUNTERED A DOWNDRAFT WHEN IT WAS ON A SHORT FINAL APCH. HE APPLIED POWER & ELECTED TO RETRACT THE WING FLAPS TO REDUCE DRAG & MINIMIZE THE SINK RATE, BUT THE FLAPS WERE RETRACTED TO THE FULL UP POSITION. ALSO, TO AVOID A STEEP EMBANKMENT AT THE APCH END OF THE RWY, THE PLT TURNED THE ACFT SLIGHTLY TO THE LEFT. HOWEVER, THE ACFT CONTINUED TO SETTLE & SUBSEQUENTLY HIT THE GROUND ABOUT 150 FT LEFT OF THE RWY & 5 FT BELOW THE CREST OF THE SLOPE. NEARBY AT DAYTON, OH, THE WIND WAS RPRTD TO BE FROM 250 DEG AT 16 GUSTING 22 KTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4898G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4898G-1989-11-18), registration cancelled 1989-11-18, S/N 17273445 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 172273445
- Airframe hours: 4527
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91
- Operator: Brentco Aerial Patrol, Inc.
- Registered owner: Bentco Aerial Patrol Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 31, 1989, 33 hours before
- Departed: FRENCH LICK, IN
- Destination: I19
- Airport: I19, Green County, runway 25, 3,972 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 60; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 3,750 total, 3,000 in this make and model, 3,470 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 250° at 16 knots, gusting 22
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 50 °F, dew point 25 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: DAY

## 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 19890412007899A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890412007899A), Apr 12, 1989: Cessna 172N, Dayton, OH, Substantial damage. High sink rate on final. Had passenger dump flaps. Aircraft struck ground short of the runway. Struck a upslope.

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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