# NTSB ATL91LA001: Cessna 172N, N172SC, Valdosta, GA, October 8, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 8, 1990, 17:36 local (21:36 UTC)
- Place: Valdosta, GA
- Coordinates: 30.839262, -83.269348 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.8393&lon=-83.2693&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 12, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8347
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL91LA001
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8347/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL91LA001

## Probable cause

THE STUDENT PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING A TAKEOFF ATTEMPT. FACTORS TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE STUDENT'S OVERALL LACK OF FLIGHT EXPERIENCE, AND THE REPORTED WIND GUST.

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - berm (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - flight controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE SOLO STUDENT PILOT WAS ATTEMPTING A TAKEOFF WHEN HE LOST DIRECTIONAL CONTROL, VEERED OFF THE LEFT SIDE OF RUNWAY 12, AND COLLIDED WITH A DIRT EMBANKMENT. A GUST OF WIND PICKED UP THE RIGHT WING AND THE PILOT WAS NOT EXPERIENCED ENOUGH TO CORRECT THE CONDITION. NO MECHANICAL PROBLEM WAS REPORTED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N172SC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N172SC-2014-05-06), registration cancelled 2014-05-06, S/N 17268105, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172N
- Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O-320-H1AD](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-320-h1ad) (registry code 42129, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17268105
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Holland Flying Service
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: VLD, VALDOSTA, GA
- Destination: ABY, ALBANY, GA
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: VLD, Valdosta Regional, runway 12, 3,628 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 16 total, 16 in this make and model, 5 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 120° at 10 knots
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 59 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: VLD

## 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 19901008059209A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19901008059209A), Oct 8, 1990: Cessna 172N, Valdosta, GA, Substantial damage. Wind gust caused student to lose directional control on takeoff. Ran off side of runway. Collided with embankment.

## Other investigations on N172SC (1)

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.

- [NTSB ATL90LA020](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL90LA020), Oct 17, 1989: Cessna 172N (N172SC), Valdosta, GA, substantial damage. Probable cause: INADEQUATE VISUAL LOOKOUT BY THE PILOT (FAILURE TO SEE & AVOID THE OBSTRUCTION). CONTRIBUTING FACTORS WERE THE TRANSMISSION (POWER) LINE AND LACK OF VISUAL CUES (PILOT'S VISUAL PERCEPTION).

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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