# NTSB ATL89LA132: Cessna 172F, N7908U, Elkin Arpt., NC, April 23, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 23, 1989, 15:45 local (19:45 UTC)
- Place: Elkin Arpt., NC
- Coordinates: 36.25019, -80.839256 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.2502&lon=-80.8393&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 22, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8017
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL89LA132
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8017/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL89LA132

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO PROPERLY COMPENSATE FOR THE GUSTY WIND CONDITIONS DURING TAKEOFF AND THE DELAY IN HIS DECISION TO ABORT THE TAKEOFF BEFORE COLLIDING WITH TREES. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE GUSTY WIND CONDITIONS AND THE PILOT'S LACK OF EXPERIENCE AND PROFICIENCY.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - abort - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - aborted
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

THE WINDS WERE GUSTING WHILE THE PILOT WAS ATTEMPTING THE TAKEOFF. HE LOST DIRECTIONAL CONTROL AND CRASHED INTO TREES ABOUT 3/4 DOWN THE RUNWAY. THE PILOT ELECTED TO ABORT THE TAKEOFF BUT DRIFTED INTO THE TREES BEFORE HE WAS ABLE TO CORRECT BACK TO THE RUNWAY. THERE WERE NO SYSTEM PROBLEMS REPORTED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7908U](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7908U), registered now, S/N 17251908, built 1964 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172F
- Registry model: [Cessna 172F](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172f) (registry code 2072414) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17251908
- Airframe hours: 2461
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300-D 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Catawba Valley Aviation, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 20, 1989, 34 hours before
- Airport: ZEF, Elkin Municipal, runway 7, 4,003 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 65 total, 2 in this make and model, 30 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 160° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: HKY

## 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 19890423009679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890423009679A), Apr 23, 1989: Cessna 172F, Elkin, NC, Substantial damage. Lifted off, elected to abort due to performance. Came back down, lost control. Veered off runway into trees.

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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