# NTSB ATL91LA182: Cessna 172N, N5918E, Knoxville, TN, September 29, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 29, 1991, 02:10 local (06:10 UTC)
- Place: Knoxville, TN
- Coordinates: 35.860424, -84.10083 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.8604&lon=-84.1008&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 9, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8480
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL91LA182
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8480/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL91LA182

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO ACCURATELY EVALUATE THE WEATHER CONDITIONS BEFORE ATTEMPTING A TAKEOFF AND HIS DELAY IN ABORTING THE TAKEOFF PROCEDURE.  A FACTOR WAS THE DARK NIGHT.

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water encounter with weather, takeoff - roll/run
  - weather condition - fog
  - weather evaluation - inaccurate, pilot in command (cause)
  - aborted takeoff - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - aborted
  - terrain condition - water

## Analysis

THE PILOT ATTEMPTED AN EARLY MORNING TAKEOFF FROM A RUNWAY WHERE FOG HAD FORMED.  HE ATTEMPTED A MID-FIELD DEPARTURE WITH 2700 FEET OF RUNWAY, BUT ENCOUNTERED ADDITIONAL FOG DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL.  HE ELECTED TO ABORT THE TAKEOFF PROCEDURE WITH INSUFFICIENT RUNWAY TO SAFELY STOP THE AIRPLANE.  THE AIRPLANE SKIDDED OFF THE DEPARTURE END OF RUNWAY 26 AND SANK IN THE RIVER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5918E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5918E-2001-11-02), registration cancelled 2001-11-02, S/N 17271960, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172N
- Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17271960
- Airframe hours: 3346
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D2J 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Aviation Atlanta, Inc.
- Registered owner: American East Airways
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 17, 1991, 23 hours before
- Departed: DKX, KNOXVILL, TN
- Destination: PDK, CHAMBLEE, GA
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: Downtown Island Airport, runway 26, 2,600 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 25; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 89 total, 79 in this make and model, 54 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 50 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: TYS, 8 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 19910929043649A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910929043649A), Sep 29, 1991: Cessna 172N, Knoxville, TN, Substantial damage. Began intersection takeoff to avoid fog on approach end runway. Ran into more fog. Aborted but slid off end runway.

## Other investigations on N5918E (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 MIA99LA013](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA99LA013), Oct 23, 1998: Cessna 172N (N5918E), Lawrenceville, GA, destroyed. Probable cause: A fire from an undetermined origin.

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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