# NTSB ATL94LA160: Cessna 172, N6650A, Pine Mountain, GA, August 26, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 26, 1994, 11:30 local (15:30 UTC) - Place: Pine Mountain, GA - Coordinates: 32.859004, -84.850044 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.8590&lon=-84.8500&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report February 24, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 3436 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL94LA160 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3436/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL94LA160 ## Probable cause THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR EXISTING WIND CONDITIONS, AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN BOTH AIRSPEED AND CLEARANCE FROM A FENCE. FACTORS WERE THE TAILWIND AND THE GUSTS WHICH EXISTED AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, go-around (vfr) - object - fence - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor) - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, go-around (vfr) ## Analysis THE PRIVATE PILOT WAS PERFORMING A SIMULATED ENGINE-OUT APPROACH TO A GRASS FARM FIELD. HE EXECUTED A GO AROUND, AND A GUST OF WIND WAS ENCOUNTERED AS THE AIRCRAFT APPROACHED A BARBED WIRE FENCE AT THE PERIMETER OF THE FIELD. THE NOSE GEAR SNAGGED THE TOP TWO STRANDS OF BARBED WIRE, AND THE AIRCRAFT CAME TO A STOP. THE PILOT LATER REPORTED THAT A SLIGHT TAIL WIND EXISTED, AND HE ALLOWED THE AIRCRAFT TO LOSE TOO MUCH AIRSPEED TO SAFELY ABORT THE SIMULATION. ## Factual narrative On August 26, 1994, at 1130 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172, N6650A, collided with a barbed wire fence during a go-around at a private, grass farm field near Pine Mountain, Georgia. The aircraft was substantially damaged, and the pilot had serious injuries. The aircraft was operated under 14 CFR Part 91 by the pilot. Visual meteorological conditions existed at the time, and no flight plan was filed for the local, personal flight. The flight originated at La Grange, Georgia, at 1100. The pilot reported that he was performing a simulated engine-out landing, with full flaps extended. The approach was flown to an open, grassy farm field. He executed a go around, and gust of wind was encountered as the airplane approached a barbed wire fence at the perimeter of the field. The nose gear contacted the top two strands of the fence wire, and the aircraft came to a stop. The pilot also reported that the engine performance during the approach and go-around was normal. He subsequently reported that a slight tail wind existed, and he allowed the aircraft to lose too much airspeed to abort the simulation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6650A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6650A-2014-11-12), registration cancelled 2014-11-12, S/N 28750, built 1956 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172 - Registry model: [Cessna 172](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172) (registry code 2072402) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28750 - Airframe hours: 3427 - Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300-A 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Orr, Jesse W. - Registered owner: Orr, Jesse W. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility; Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: 100 hour, July 27, 1994, 43 hours before - Departed: LGC, LAGRANGE, GA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 32; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 288 total, 280 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 64 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: CSG, 20 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 19940826023759A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940826023759A), Aug 26, 1994: Cessna 172, Pine Mountain, GA, Substantial damage. Simulated engine out to a field during go around wheels caught on barbed wire fence. Carried out too low. Tailwind. ## Other investigations on N6650A (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 MIA67D0442](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA67D0442), Mar 13, 1967: Cessna 172 (N6650A), Jonesboro, GA, substantial damage 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.