# NTSB ATL93FA025: Cessna 172, N5952R, Brownsboro, AL, November 20, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: November 19, 1992, 20:02 local (Nov 20, 1992, 02:02 UTC)
- Place: Brownsboro, AL
- Coordinates: 34.719203, -86.480781 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.7192&lon=-86.4808&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report September 28, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8676
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL93FA025
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8676/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL93FA025

## Probable cause

THE PILOT FAILED TO EVALUATE THE WIND CONDITIONS AND TOOK OFF WITH A TAILWIND WHICH RESULTED IN THE COLLISION WITH A TREE ON THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RUNWAY. FACTORS WERE DARK NIGHT AND TAILWIND.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s)
  - clearance - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - weather evaluation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - wrong runway - selected, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE NEWLY CERTIFICATED PILOT ATTEMPTED A VISUAL NIGHT TAKEOFF WITH A TAILWIND. THE FLIGHT WAS OBSERVED AS IT CLIMBED OUT FROM RUNWAY 27 AND COLLIDED WITH A TREE ABOUT 1/4 MILE FROM THE END OF THE SOD RUNWAY. AFTER COLLIDING WITH THE TREE, THE AIRPLANE CONTINUED ABOUT 200 PLUS FEET BEFORE IMPACTING THE GROUND INVERTED. WRECKAGE EXAMINATION FAILED TO DISCLOSE A MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION OR COMPONENT FAILURE. HOWEVER, THE CARBURETOR EXAMINATION REVEALED THAT A COMPOSITE MATERIAL TYPE FLOAT WAS INSTALLED. THE AIRPLANE WAS SERVICED WITH 30 GALLONS OF AUTOMOTIVE FUEL. ADDITIONALLY ACCORDING TO THE OPERATOR'S MANUAL, THERE IS NO PERFORMANCE DATA AVAILABLE TO THE PILOT FOR A TAILWIND TAKEOFF.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5952R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5952R-1994-02-04), registration cancelled 1994-02-04, S/N 17253621 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- Registry model: [Cessna 172G](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172g) (registry code 2072420) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 172-83621
- Airframe hours: 5410
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300D 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Derrick Mitchell, doing business as Moontown Aviation
- Registered owner: Moontown Airport Inc.,
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, July 17, 1992, 98 hours before
- Departed: 3M5
- Destination: 3M5
- Airport: 3M5, Moontown, runway 27, 2,180 × 75 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 17; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 85 total, 13 in this make and model, 27 as pilot in command, 17 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 110° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: HSV, 15 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 19921119047439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19921119047439A), Nov 19, 1992: Cessna 172G, Huntsville, AL, Substantial damage, 3 fatal. Right wing struck a tree on initial climbout. Aircraft rolled and dived straight into ground. Departed downwind.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.