# NTSB ATL89LA164: Cessna 172, N1434Y, Franklin, GA, June 20, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 20, 1989, 13:30 local (17:30 UTC)
- Place: Franklin, GA
- Coordinates: 33.279582, -85.090415 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.2796&lon=-85.0904&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report April 19, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8039
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL89LA164
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8039/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL89LA164

## Probable cause

IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT BY ATTEMPTING TO TAKEOFF FROM AN UNSUITABLE FIELD AND HIS DELAY IN ABORTING THE TAKEOFF.  THE TERRAIN CONDITIONS AND FENCE WERE CONTRIBUTING FACTORS.

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - aborted
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - wet (contributing factor)
  - object - fence (contributing factor)
  - aborted takeoff - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, takeoff - aborted

## Analysis

THE PLT ENCOUNTERED BAD WX DURING FLT & MADE AN EMERGENCY LANDING IN AN OPEN FIELD THAT WAS SHORT, ROUGH & WET. WHEN HE TRIED TO TAKEOFF FROM THE FIELD A SHORT TIME LATER, THE AIRPLANE DID NOT ATTAIN ENOUGH AIRSPEED TO FLY. THE PILOT ABORTED THE TAKEOFF, BUT BEFORE STOPPING, THE AIRPLANE HIT A FENCE & NOSED OVER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1434Y](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1434Y), registered now, S/N 17249134, built 1961 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- Registry model: [Cessna 172C](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172c) (registry code 2072408) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17249134
- Airframe hours: 4332
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300-D 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Dale Spangler
- Registered owner: Dale S Spangler
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 4, 1988, 30 hours before
- Departed: THOMASTON, GA
- Destination: TALLADEGA, AL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 207 total, 125 in this make and model, 167 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 170° at 12 knots, gusting 12
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 28,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: ATL

## 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 19890620016279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890620016279A), Jun 20, 1989: Cessna 172C, Franklin, GA, Substantial damage. Landed in a farm field due to weather. Began takeoff but unable to gain speed,aborted,ran into a fence. 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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