ATL94FA156

Witnesses stated that the aircraft did not seem to climb at a normal rate of climb after departure. Tower personnel stated that the pilot asked for an emergency landing immediately after takeoff. The aircraft was observed to enter a left turn about 200 feet AGL. The nose dropped, and the aircraft crashed into the terrain just off the departure end of the runway. The density altitude of the airport at the time was approximately 2,377 feet. Aircraft weight and balance computations show that the aircraft weight exceeded the maximum takeoff weight by about 73 pounds. The aircraft information manual states that takeoff should be made with flaps retracted. The flaps were found extended 12 degrees.

History of flight

On August 14, 1994, at 1132 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172RG, N9340D, was substantially damaged following a collision with terrain during takeoff at the Charlie Brown Fulton County Airport in Atlanta, Georgia. The commercial pilot was fatally injured, and his three passengers were seriously injured in the accident. The aircraft was being operated under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 by the Charlie Brown Flying Club of Atlanta, Georgia. Visual meteorological conditions existed at the time, and no flight plan had been filed for the flight. The flight was to have been a local photography flight.

According to personnel in the Fulton County Tower, immediately after takeoff the pilot of the aircraft requested an emergency return to the airport for landing. Witnesses stated that the aircraft was departing runway 08, but did not appear to be climbing at a normal rate. The aircraft climbed to approximately 200 feet, banked to the left, and the nose then dropped. The aircraft impacted the terrain approximately 1/4 mile off the departure end of runway 08.

Personnel information

The pilot held a commercial pilot certificate with airplane single engine, airplane multi engine, and instrument airplane ratings. He held a flight instructors certificate with airplane single engine, and instrument airplane ratings. He held a first class medical certificate.

Additional personnel information may be obtained in this report on page 3 under First Pilot Information.

Aircraft information

The Cessna 172RG is a four place, high wing, retractable tricycle landing gear airplane.

The aircraft weight at the time of the accident was estimated to be 2,723.1 pounds.(See Weight and Balance Computations Attached to This Report.) The Weight Limits section of the Aircraft Information Manual lists the maximum takeoff weight as 2,650 pounds.(See Copy of Page 2-6 of the Cessna Information Manual Attached to This Report.)

The Normal and Short Field Takeoff Check List Procedures listed in the Aircraft Information Manual shows wing flaps selection for takeoff should be "0".(See Copy of Page 4-9 of the Cessna Information Manual Attached to This Report.) The maximum rate of climb expected for the Cessna 172RG, with flaps and landing gear "UP", and the prevailing weather would have been 720 feet per minute.

Meteorological information

The weather at the time of the accident was sufficient for flight under visual flight rules. The density altitude of the airport at the time of the accident was 2,377 feet.

Additional meteorological information may be obtained in this report on Pages 3 and 4 under the section titled Weather Information.

Wreckage and impact information

The aircraft impacted the terrain approximately 1/4 mile northeast of the departure end of Runway 08 at the Fulton County Airport.

Both wings were separated from the fuselage at their respective fuselage attach points. The left wing tip was crushed inward from the tip, and the outboard three feet of the wing was bent in an upward direction.

There was continuity of the aircraft flight controls into the cockpit area. Both main landing gear were found in the retracted position, and the nose wheel landing gear was found in the extended position. The nose wheel actuator attach bracket was fractured in an overstress separation with no evidence of preexisting damage or cracking.(See Metallurgist's Factual Report Attached to This Report.) The flap actuator was extended two and one half inches. According to the manufacturer, this measurement equates to flaps extended 12 degrees.

There was continuity of the aircraft power train. The propeller showed signs of chordwise scratching and twisting toward low pitch.

Medical and pathological information

An autopsy of the pilot was performed by Dr. Gerald Gowitt of the Office of The Medical Examiner of Fulton County, Georgia.

A toxicological examination of the pilot was performed by the Federal Aviation Administration Toxicology and Accident Research Laboratory. The toxicological report was negative for drugs or alcohol.

Additional information

The aircraft wreckage was released to Mr. Harry Brooks, the owners insurance representative, on August 18, 1994.