# NTSB ATL93LA005: Cessna 172N, N4874D, Apex, NC, October 7, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 7, 1992, 12:25 local (16:25 UTC)
- Place: Apex, NC
- Coordinates: 35.719383, -78.83982 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.7194&lon=-78.8398&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report June 21, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8689
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL93LA005
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8689/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL93LA005

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER IN-FLIGHT PLANNING AND HIS INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR WIND CONDITIONS, WHICH RESULTED IN THE OVERRUN OF THE RUNWAY. FACTORS WERE THE TAIL WIND CONDITIONS, AND THE DOWNHILL, GRASS RUNWAY.

## Sequence of events

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

- Overrun, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - downhill (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - aborted
  - terrain condition - ditch
- Nose over, landing - aborted

## Analysis

THE COMMERCIAL PILOT ELECTED TO GO AROUND ON HIS FIRST LANDING ATTEMPT AT THE PRIVATE, GRASS AIRSTRIP DUE TO CROSSWINDS. ON HIS SECOND ATTEMPT WITH 20 DEGREES FLAPS SELECTED, HE DETERMINED THAT HE COULD NOT STOP THE AIRCRAFT IN THE REMAINING RUNWAY, AND ABORTED THE LANDING. THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH A DITCH, AND NOSED OVER. AN FAA INSPECTOR WENT TO THE SITE IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE ACCIDENT AND REPORTED THAT TAILWINDS PREVAILED ON THE RUNWAY THAT THE PILOT SELECTED. HE ALSO REPORTED THAT THE 2,200 FOOT AIRSTRIP SLOPED DOWNHILL TOWARD THE ACCIDENT SITE. AN INSPECTION OF THE FLIGHT CONTROLS AND WHEEL BRAKES SHOWED NO EVIDENCE OF A MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE, AND NONE WAS REPORTED BY THE PILOT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4874D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4874D-1999-04-13), registration cancelled 1999-04-13, S/N 17272382 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172N
- Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17272382
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Raleigh East Airport
- Registered owner: Summey, Michael
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, January 2, 1900
- Departed: W17, KNIGHTDALE, NC
- Airport: NONE, Cox, runway 27, 2,200 ×  ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 23; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 245 total, 24 in this make and model, 215 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 80° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 50 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: RDU, 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 19921007041269A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19921007041269A), Oct 7, 1992: Cessna 172N, Apex, NC, Substantial damage. Tried go around near end of Private strip. Ran off end. Nosed over in a ditch. Factors downhill and downwind.

## Other investigations on N4874D (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 MIA97LA129](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA97LA129), Apr 10, 1997: Cessna 172N (N4874D), Lawrenceville, GA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during a crosswind landing. The winds were a factor.

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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