# NTSB ATL92LA051: Cessna 172I, N35637, Bainbridge, GA, March 1, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 1, 1992, 17:15 local (22:15 UTC)
- Place: Bainbridge, GA
- Location: 30.9049° N, 84.5730° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Bainbridge, GA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.9049&lon=-84.5730&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 12, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8562
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL92LA051
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8562/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL92LA051

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED ON THE INITIAL CLIMBOUT, AND THE INADVERTENT STALL/MUSH WHICH RESULTED. FACTORS IN THIS ACCIDENT WERE: THE HIGH OBSTRUCTIONS (TREES) NEAR 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
  - terrain condition - berm
  - terrain condition - high obstruction(s) (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PRIVATE PILOT AND TWO PASSENGERS WERE TAKING OFF FROM THE 18,00 FOOT LONG SOD AIRSTRIP.  TREES WERE LOCATED NEAR THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RUNWAY.  AS THE AIRPLANE CLEARED THE TREES ON THE INITIAL CLIMBOUT, THE AIRPLANE BEGAN TO MUSH.  THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO TURN AWAY FROM THE NEXT LINE OF TREES, HOWEVER, THE AIRPLANE MUSHED AGAIN, AND IMPACTED SOFT TERRAIN.  THE NOSE GEAR COLLAPSED, AND THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER.  THE PILOT REPORTED NO MECHANICAL DIFFICULTIES WITH THE AIRPLANE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N35637](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N35637-1992-10-19), registration cancelled 1992-10-19, S/N 17256878 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172I
- Registry model: [Cessna 172I](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172i) (registry code 2072426) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17256878
- Airframe hours: 6743
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Collins, Wesley A.
- Registered owner: Collins, Wesley A.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: 100 hour, December 1, 1991, 19 hours before
- Airport: NONE, Waycaser, runway 19, 1,800 × 100 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 413 total, 319 in this make and model, 29 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 36 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: VAD, 71 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 19920301009149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920301009149A), Mar 1, 1992: Cessna 172I, Bainbridge, GA, Substantial damage. Took off downwind. Unable to climb over trees. Turned and mushed into dirt field and nosed 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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