# NTSB ATL91FA176: Cessna C-172N, N700CH, Alabaster, AL, September 21, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 20, 1991, 20:00 local (Sep 21, 1991, 01:00 UTC)
- Place: Alabaster, AL
- Coordinates: 33.219509, -86.81916 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.2195&lon=-86.8192&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report April 23, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8337
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL91FA176
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8337/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL91FA176

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN FLYING SPEED WHICH RESULTED IN AN UNINTENTIONAL STALL AND COLLISION WITH THE GROUND. A FACTOR WAS THE PILOT'S USE OF UNPRESCRIBED DRUGS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - base turn
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - impairment(drugs), pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

THE FLIGHT STALLED AND CRASHED WHILE ON DOWNWIND TO RUNWAY 15.  THE NEWLY CERTIFICATED PRIVATE PILOT FAILED TO MAINTAIN FLYING SPEED WHILE ON DOWNWIND FOR A FULL STOP LANDING.  THE AIRPLANE STALLED AND CRASHED ON THE UTILITY COMPANY RIGHT OF WAY ADJACENT TO THE AIRPORT.  THE VERTICAL IMPACT DISPLACED THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AFT TOWARDS THE PILOT'S STATION.  WRECKAGE EXAMINATION FAILED TO DISCLOSE MECHANICAL PROBLEMS.  HOWEVER, THE TOXICOLOGICAL EXAMINATION INDICATED THE PRESENCE OF DIAZEPAM, A TRANQUILIZER, IN THE PILOT'S BLOOD.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N700CH](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N700CH-1992-03-17), registration cancelled 1992-03-17, S/N 17271270 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA C-172N
- Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 172-71270
- Airframe hours: 3049
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Teleunion Corp.
- Registered owner: Teleunion Corp.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 21, 1991, 47 hours before
- Departed: 81J, DESTIN, FL
- Destination: 21A, ALABASTER, AL
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: Shelby County, runway 15, 3,797 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 70; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 170 total, 170 in this make and model, 60 as pilot in command, 17 in the last 90 days, 16 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: BHM, 15 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 19910920042069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910920042069A), Sep 20, 1991: Cessna 172N, Alabaster, AL, Substantial damage, 2 fatal. Crashed,wing and nose down near airport. No witnesses.

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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