# NTSB ATL90LA077: Cessna 172N, N733BV, Ocilla, GA, March 15, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 15, 1990, 11:10 local (16:10 UTC)
- Place: Ocilla, GA
- Coordinates: 31.590303, -83.240524 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.5903&lon=-83.2405&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report September 21, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8215
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL90LA077
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8215/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL90LA077

## Probable cause

THE AIRCRAFT'S ENCOUNTER WITH LOW LEVEL WINDSHEAR RESULTING IN AN UNCONTROLLABLE DESCENT.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise
  - weather condition - windshear (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, descent - uncontrolled
  - weather evaluation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE COMMERCIAL PILOT STATED THAT HE WAS ON AN AERIAL OBSERVATION FLIGHT AT 500 FEET ABOVE GROUND LEVEL WHEN THE AIRCRAFT BEGAN AN UNCONTROLLABLE DESCENT THAT HE THOUGHT WAS DUE TO WINDSHEAR. SUBSEQUENT INSPECTION OF THE AIRCRAFT SHOWED NO PRE-ACCIDENT MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS AT THE TIME WERE CONDUCIVE FOR THE FORMATION OF LOW LEVEL WINDSHEAR.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N733BV](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N733BV-1990-10-23), registration cancelled 1990-10-23, S/N 17268176 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172N
- Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17268176
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2A 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91
- Registered owner: Deland Aviation
- Departed: FZG, FITZGERALD, GA
- Destination: DED, DELAND, FL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 65; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 14,452 total, 14,200 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 160° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,400 ft broken
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: AMG, 40 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 19900315004279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900315004279A), Mar 15, 1990: Cessna 172N, Ocilla, GA, Substantial damage. Encountered windshear on telephone cable patrol and unable to recover prior ground impact. Turbulence was forecast.

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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