# NTSB ATL89LA185: Cessna 172K, N7444G, Wilmington, NC, July 27, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 26, 1989, 21:30 local (Jul 27, 1989, 01:30 UTC)
- Place: Wilmington, NC
- Coordinates: 34.210823, -77.910614 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.2108&lon=-77.9106&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 2, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8050
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL89LA185
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8050/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL89LA185

## Probable cause

THE INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PREPARATION/PLANNING BY THE PILOT REGARDING THE UNIQUE LIGHT FEATURES ON RUNWAY 18 (LIGHTS MOUNTED ALONG THE EAST SIDE ONLY). IN ADDITION THE PILOT FAILED TO ALIGN THE AIRPLANE WITH THE RUNWAY AND STRUCK A VEHICLE THAT WAS PARKED BETWEEN THE LIGHTS.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - proper alignment - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - vehicle

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS CONDUCTING NIGHT LANDINGS AT A PRIVATE AIRSTRIP. THE RUNWAY ONLY HAS ONE SET OF EDGE LIGHTS, LOCATED ON THE EAST SIDE. THE PILOT TURNED BASE TO FINAL AND LINED UP ON CENTER WITH THE LIGHTS. THE PILOT REALIZED THE MISALIGNMENT AFTER CORSSING THE RUNWAY THRESHOLD AND ATTEMPTED TO CORRECT BY BANKING. THE AIRPLANE STRUCK A VEHICLE PARKED BETWEEN THE RUNWAY EDGE LIGHTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7444G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7444G-1990-11-13), registration cancelled 1990-11-13, S/N 17259144 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172K
- Registry model: [Cessna 172K](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172k) (registry code 2072430) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17259144
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Brunswick Flight Service
- Registered owner: Unknown
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: 55W, WILMINGTON, NC
- Airport: 55W, Winnabow M.C., runway 15, 3,500 × 18 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; private; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 174 total, 107 in this make and model, 136 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: variable at 4 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point -0 °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 19890726025399A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890726025399A), Jul 26, 1989: Cessna 172K, Winnabow, NC, Substantial damage. Lined up with runway edge lights by mistake then hit a parked truck banking to realign.

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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