# NTSB ATL93FA012: Piper PA-12, N2479M, Cedar Springs, GA, October 17, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: October 17, 1992, 14:45 local (18:45 UTC)
- Place: Cedar Springs, GA
- Location: 31.1873° N, 85.0324° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Cedar Springs, GA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.1873&lon=-85.0324&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report July 26, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8673
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL93FA012
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8673/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL93FA012

## Probable cause

THE PRIVATE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED ABOVE STALLING SPEED, AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN A PROPER ALTITUDE, WHICH RESULTED IN AN INADVERTENT, LOW ALTITUDE STALL. A FACTOR WAS THE GUSTY WIND CONDITION AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - airspeed(vs) - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PRIVATE PILOT AND A STUDENT PILOT PASSENGER WERE ON A LOCAL AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHY FLIGHT. ALTHOUGH THERE WERE NO EYEWITNESSES TO THE CRASH, SEVERAL LOCAL RESIDENTS OBSERVED THE AIRCRAFT MANEUVERING IMMEDIATELY PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. THEY REPORTED THAT THE AIRCRAFT WAS FLYING AT A HIGH ANGLE OF ATTACK, AT SLOW SPEED, AND AT LOW ALTITUDE (80 TO 100 FEET AGL). THE WRECKAGE WAS FOUND IN A FLAT, OPEN COW PASTURE. IMPACT DAMAGE TO THE AIRCRAFT WAS INDICATIVE OF STEEP, NOSE LOW IMPACT WITH THE GROUND (STALL). WITNESSES ALSO REPORTED THAT THE WINDS WERE GUSTY AT THE TIME, WITH SPEEDS UP TO 20 KNOTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2479M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2479M-1993-11-24), registration cancelled 1993-11-24, S/N 121556 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-12
- Registry model: [Piper PA-12](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-12) (registry code 7101202) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 12-1556
- Airframe hours: 5330
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-C 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Harrells Aviation Service, Inc
- Registered owner: Harrells Aviation Service, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, September 23, 1992, 14 hours before
- Departed: BGE, BAINBRIDGE, GA
- Destination: BGE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, expired; seat: rear; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,800 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 350° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 8,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: DHN, 28 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 19921017042409A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19921017042409A), Oct 17, 1992: Piper PA12, Cedar Springs, GA, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Observed in slow flight low over trees on photo flight. Wreckage indicates stall into open field.

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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