# NTSB ATL91LA173: Cessna 172G, N4184L, Summerton, SC, September 13, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 13, 1991, 09:15 local (13:15 UTC)
- Place: Summerton, SC
- Coordinates: 33.600517, -80.350921 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.6005&lon=-80.3509&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 10, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8470
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL91LA173
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8470/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL91LA173

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR THE WIND CONDITIONS AT THE AIRSTRIP. FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT WERE THE QUARTERING TAILWIND AND THE WET FIELD CONDITIONS AT THE AIRSTRIP.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - wet (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL, THE AIRPLANE BEGAN VEERING TO THE LEFT JUST PRIOR TO LIFTOFF.  TO AVOID RUNNING OFF THE EDGE OF THE RUNWAY, HE ROTATED EARLY.  THE AIRPLANE WAS THEN NEAR STALL SPEED, HEADING TOWARDS A TREE.  HE APPLIED FULL FLIGHT CONTROL INPUTS TO AVOID THE TREE, AND THE AIRPLANE STALLED.  THE AIRPLANE IMPACTED THE GROUND IN A NOSE LOW ATTITUDE.  THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE RUNWAY WAS WET FROM DEW, AND THAT A QUARTERING RIGHT TAILWIND 'WAS NOT GIVEN PROPER ATTENTION.'

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4184L](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4184L), registered now, S/N 17254253, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172G
- Registry model: [Cessna 172G](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172g) (registry code 2072420) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17254253
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300-D 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Lafosse, David A.
- Registered owner: Lafosse, David A.
- Airport: NONE, Davis Crossroads, runway 3, 3,000 × 90 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 2,750 total, 1,000 in this make and model, 2,614 as pilot in command, 42 in the last 90 days, 16 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °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 19910913039959A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910913039959A), Sep 13, 1991: Cessna 172G, Summerton, SC, Substantial damage. Swerved on takeoff,rotated early to avoid runway edge. Stalled trying to avoid a tree. Five knot tailwind no help.

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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