# NTSB ATL93LA048: Cessna 120, N4292N, Bessemer, AL, January 1, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 1, 1993, 14:30 local (20:30 UTC)
- Place: Bessemer, AL
- Location: 33.4018° N, 86.9544° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Bessemer, AL, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.4018&lon=-86.9544&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 3, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8720
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL93LA048
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8720/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL93LA048

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING TAKE OFF.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run

## Analysis

A TAKEOFF WAS BEING CONDUCTED IN THE TAILWHEEL AIRPLANE WITH A 70 DEGREE LEFT CROSSWIND. THE PILOT STATED SHE WAS USING RUNWAY 5 & THAT THE AIRPORT AWOS LISTED THE WIND AS FROM THE NORTHWEST AT 4 TO 6 KTS. THE PILOT SAID THAT AS THE TAIL CAME UP THE NOSE OF THE AIRPLANE VEERED A LITTLE TO THE LEFT AND ADDITIONAL RIGHT RUDDER WAS APPLIED. ACCORDING TO HER, AT THAT TIME THE AIRPLANE WAS STRUCK BY A GUST & IT WEATHERVANED SHARPLY TO THE RIGHT. THE AIRPLANE DEPARTED THE RUNWAY RIGHT SIDE AND COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4292N](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4292N), registered now, S/N 13763, built 1947 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 120
- Registry model: [Cessna 120](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-120) (registry code 2071402) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 13763
- Airframe hours: 6172
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C90-12 90 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Wood, David E.
- Registered owner: Wood, David E.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 18, 1993, 33 hours before
- Departed: 2A3
- Destination: 2A3
- Airport: 2A3, Bessemer, runway 5, 5,700 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 113 total, 69 in this make and model, 44 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 340° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 37 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: BHM, 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 19930101034549A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930101034549A), Jan 1, 1993: Cessna 120, Bessemer, AL, Substantial damage. Weather vaned left into crosswind as tail came up. Over corrected and veered off runway to the right.

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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