# NTSB ATL94FA156: Cessna 172RG, N9340D, Atlanta, GA, August 14, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report - Date: August 14, 1994, 11:32 local (15:32 UTC) - Place: Atlanta, GA - Coordinates: 33.739059, -84.570411 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.7391&lon=-84.5704&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 2 fatal, 2 serious - Status: Completed, report June 29, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 3300 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL94FA156 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3300/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL94FA156 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate preflight planning in that he operated the aircraft at a weight which exceeded the maximum takeoff weight and his improper use of flaps during takeoff. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb - weather condition - high density altitude - procedures/directives - improper, pilot in command (cause) - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - aircraft weight and balance - exceeded, pilot in command (cause) - flaps - improper use of, pilot in command (cause) - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis 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. ## Factual narrative 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. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9340D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9340D-1994-09-15), registration cancelled 1994-09-15, S/N 172RG1127 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172RG - Registry model: [Cessna 172RG](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172rg) (registry code 2072438) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 172RG1127 - Airframe hours: 1165 - Engines: LYCOMING O-360-F1A6 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Other work use, Part 91 - Registered owner: Charlie Brown Flying Club - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, June 27, 1994, 43 hours before - Departed: FTY - Airport: FTY, Charlie Brown Fulton Co., runway 8L, 5,796 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 26; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 355 total, 36 in this make and model, 287 as pilot in command, 34 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 2,200 ft broken - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 72 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: FTY, 1 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 19940814021449A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940814021449A), Aug 14, 1994: Cessna 172RG, Atlanta, GA, Substantial damage, 1 fatal. Stalled during climbout. Over gross weight. Nose gear failed retract. Actuator attach bracket broke. Flaps extended 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.