# NTSB ATL91LA093: Cessna 172I, N46240, Clanton, AL, May 14, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 14, 1991, 11:43 local (16:43 UTC)
- Place: Clanton, AL
- Coordinates: 32.83913, -86.620811 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.8391&lon=-86.6208&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report December 15, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8405
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL91LA093
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8405/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL91LA093

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT DURING A GO-AROUND.  THE PILOT'S LACK OF EXPERIENCE WAS A RELATED FACTOR.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, go-around (vfr)
  - go-around - initiated, pilot in command
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, go-around (vfr)

## Analysis

THE SOLO STUDENT PILOT WAS PERFORMING HIS FOURTH LANDING OF THE DAY.  THE AIRPLANE 'FLOATED CONSIDERABLY,' SO HE EXECUTED A GO-AROUND.  WHILE AT 8 TO 10 FEET ABOVE THE RUNWAY AND CLOSE TO STALL SPEED, HE APPLIED FULL POWER.  THE AIRPLANE ROLLED TO THE LEFT AND STALLED ADJACENT TO THE RUNWAY.  THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND IN A LEFT WING-LOW ATTITUDE.  THE PILOT HAD LOGGED 15 HOURS TOTAL TIME, 3.8 HOURS AS PILOT-IN-COMMAND.  HE REPORTED NO MECHANICAL PROBLEMS WITH THE AIRPLANE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N46240](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N46240-2025-10-04), registration cancelled 2025-10-04, S/N 17257129, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172I
- Registry model: [Cessna 172I](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172i) (registry code 2072426) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17257129
- Airframe hours: 5437
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Clanton Flying Service
- Registered owner: Clanton Flying Service
- Last inspection: 100 hour, April 12, 1991, 33 hours before
- Airport: 02A, Gragg-Wade, runway 26, 4,000 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 15 total, 15 in this make and model, 4 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19910514015709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910514015709A), May 14, 1991: Cessna 172I, Clanton, AL, Substantial damage. Too FAR down runway for landing. Added power and stalled initiating go around.

## Other investigations on N46240 (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 CHI73FEG24](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI73FEG24), May 11, 1973: Cessna 172 (N46240), Chillicothe, OH, substantial damage

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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