# NTSB ATL90LA012: Cessna 172N, N737QG, Knightdale, NC, October 24, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 24, 1989, 01:00 local (05:00 UTC)
- Place: Knightdale, NC
- Coordinates: 35.790542, -78.480812 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.7905&lon=-78.4808&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report June 26, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8170
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL90LA012
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8170/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL90LA012

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN THE PROPER GLIDE PATH TO THE RUNWAY RESULTING IN THE AIRPLANE COLLIDING WITH TREES WHILE MAKING AN APPROACH TO LANDING WITH NO ELECTRICAL POWER.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - electrical system,alternator - worn
  - maintenance,overhaul - improper, other maintenance personnel
  - electrical system,alternator - failure,total
  - precautionary landing - not performed, pilot in command
  - electrical system - failure,total
  - proper glidepath - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - tree(s)
  - go-around - attempted, pilot in command
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - tree(s)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - high vegetation

## Analysis

FLT EXPERIENCED ALTERNATOR FAILURE. PLT ELECTED TO CONT FLT TO DESTINATION. ABOUT 20 MINUTES FROM DESTINATION, FLT LOST ALL ELECTRICAL POWER. WHILE MAKING NIGHT VISUAL APPROACH WITH PASSENGER HOLDING FLASHLIGHT ON INSTRUMENT PANEL, PLT ALLOWED AIRPLANE TO DESCEND TOO LOW RESULTING IN COLLISION WITH TREE TOPS. PLT THEN ATTEMPTED GO- AROUND EVEN THOUGH PILOT RATED PASSENGER STATED RUNWAY WAS MADE AFTER COLLISION. WHEN ACFT WOULD NOT CLIMB DURING GO-AROUND, IT COLLIDED WITH TREES AND CAME TO REST. ALTERNATOR FAILURE WAS RESULT OF BRUSH SLIP RING BEING DAMAGED AT OVERHAUL RESULTING IN PREMATURE WEARING OF BRUSHES. ALTERNATOR HAD 57 HOURS SINCE OVERHAUL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N737QG](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N737QG-2013-05-07), registration cancelled 2013-05-07, S/N 17269587, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172N
- Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17269587
- Airframe hours: 2875
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Robert Scott Kellum
- Registered owner: Topsail Air, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, September 14, 1989, 38 hours before
- Departed: MIV, MILLVILLE, NJ
- Airport: W17, Raleigh East, runway 1, 3,000 × 36 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 311 total, 32 in this make and model, 256 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 110° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 41 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: RDU, 20 nm away

## 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 19891024042119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19891024042119A), Oct 24, 1989: Cessna 172N, Knightdale, NC, Substantial damage. Lost electric power, too low on no flap,night approach. Hit 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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