# NTSB ATL91LA079: Cessna 120, N46GB, Pinebluff, NC, April 6, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 6, 1991, 14:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Pinebluff, NC
- Coordinates: 35.099399, -79.469017 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.0994&lon=-79.4690&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 31, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8392
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL91LA079
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8392/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL91LA079

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S DELAY IN ABORTING THE TAKEOFF.  THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO CALCULATE THE AIRCRAFT'S PERFORMANCE FOR THE EXISTING CONDITIONS WAS A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Nose over, takeoff - aborted
  - performance data - not used, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - aborted takeoff - delayed, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PRIVATE PILOT STATED THAT DURING TAKEOFF FROM A PRIVATE SOD AIRFIELD, THE AIRPLANE DID NOT BECOME AIRBORNE AT THE POINT AT WHICH HE HAD BECOME ACCUSTOMED.  HE ATTEMPTED TO ABORT THE TAKEOFF.  THE AIRPLANE PROPELLER HIT THE GROUND, AND THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER ON THE RUNWAY.  AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE PILOT HAD NOT CALCULATED THE PERFORMANCE DATA FOR THE AIRCRAFT WEIGHT AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS WHICH EXISTED AT THE TIME.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N46GB](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N46GB-1993-06-14), registration cancelled 1993-06-14, S/N 11991 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 120
- Registry model: [Cessna 120](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-120) (registry code 2071402) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 11991
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-85-12 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Williams, David  E.
- Registered owner: Williams, David  E.
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000
- Airport: Private, runway 27, 2,600 × 75 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 159 total, 36 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 250° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Observed at: FAY, 29 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 19910406010959A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910406010959A), Apr 6, 1991: Cessna 120, Pinebluff, NC, Substantial damage. Believed unable to make takeoff on Private strip. Aborted it brakes too hard and flipped over.

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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