# NTSB ATL90LA155: Cessna 172L, N4386Q, Greensboro, AL, August 4, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 4, 1990, 12:30 local (17:30 UTC)
- Place: Greensboro, AL
- Coordinates: 32.699371, -87.590194 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.6994&lon=-87.5902&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 5 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 28, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8261
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL90LA155
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8261/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL90LA155

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN PROPER AIRSPEED AND ATTAIN THE PROPER TOUCHDOWN POINT DURING THE EMERGENCY LANDING.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, cruise - normal
  - engine assembly,valve,exhaust - failure,total (contributing factor)
- Overrun, landing - flare/touchdown
  - proper touchdown point - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed(vref) - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - anxiety/apprehension, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - fence

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS IN CRUISE FLIGHT WHEN HIS ENGINE BEGAN RUNNING ROUGHLY AND VIBRATING. HE ELECTED TO MAKE AN EMERGENCY LANDING AT A NEARBY AIRPORT WHEN HE COULD NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. HE MADE TWO VISUAL APPROACHES TO THE LANDING RUNWAY, BUT WAS UNABLE TO LAND THE AIRPLANE. HE STATED THAT HE WAS 'TOO HIGH AND TOO FAST' ON BOTH APPROACH ATTEMPTS. ON THE THIRD ATTEMPT, HE LANDED 300 METERS PAST THE DEPARTURE END OF THE LANDING RUNWAY, WHICH IS 3,500 FEET LONG. THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH A FENCE AND FLIPPED OVER. HE STATED THAT HE WAS 'SHANKEN UP' BY THE PROBLEM HE WAS HAVING WITH HIS ENGINE. INSPECTION OF THE ENGINE AFTER THE ACCIDENT REVEALED A FAILED NUMBER THREE CYLINDER EXHAUST VALVE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4386Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4386Q-1992-08-12), registration cancelled 1992-08-12, S/N 17260286 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172L
- Registry model: [Cessna 172L](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172l) (registry code 2072432) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17260286
- Airframe hours: 1611
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Southernaire Carrier, Inc.
- Registered owner: Southernaire Carrier, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: 100 hour, July 29, 1990, 8 hours before
- Departed: TUP, TUPELO, MS
- Destination: 0J4, FLORALA, AL
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: 7A0, Greensboro Municipal, runway 18, 3,500 × 80 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 67 total, 4 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 72 °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 19900804030189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900804030189A), Aug 4, 1990: Cessna 172L, Greensboro, AL, Substantial damage. Rough running engine. Diverted to Greensboro. Landed long and hit fence and flipped over. NR3 valve failed.

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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