# NTSB ATL99LA001: Cessna C-172F, N5588R, Ball Ground, GA, October 1, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 1, 1998, 15:45 local (19:45 UTC) - Place: Ball Ground, GA - Coordinates: 34.330844, -84.370285 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.3308&lon=-84.3703&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 19, 1999 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 44104 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL99LA001 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/44104/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL99LA001 ## Probable cause The pilots failure to maintain directional control of the airplane on take-off, during gusty conditions, resulting in a collision with a tree. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, takeoff - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - terrain condition - high obstruction(s) (contributing factor) ## Analysis According to the pilot, he was on his third takeoff of the day from his newly built private field. The runway was 1000 feet long by 42 feet wide, covered mostly in grass with some packed soil. As he became airborne, he experienced a left quartering wind gust, which pushed the airplane to the right. The right wing collided with a tree and the airplane spun to the right resulting in substantial damage to the airplane. The pilot, and sole occupant, was not injured. ## Factual narrative On October 1, 1998, about 1545 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172F, N 5588R, collided with a tree and the ground on takeoff from a private field in Ball Ground, Georgia. The airplane was operated by the registered owner under the provisions of Title 14 CFR part 91, and visual flight rules. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local flight. The private pilot, and sole occupant, was not injured and the airplane sustained substantial damaged. The local flight was originating at the time of the accident. According to the pilot, he was on his third takeoff of the day from his newly built private field. The runway was 1000 feet long by 42 feet wide, covered mostly in grass with some packed soil. As he became airborne, he experienced a left quartering wind gust, which pushed the airplane to the right. The right wing collided with a tree and the airplane spun to the right resulting in substantial damage to the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5588R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5588R-2012-09-24), registration cancelled 2012-09-24, S/N 17253190, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna C-172F - Registry model: [Cessna 172F](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172f) (registry code 2072414) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17253190 - Airframe hours: 3151 - Engines: Continental O-300-D 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Gilbert Ward - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, December 12, 1997, 54 hours before - Departed: PVT - Airport: NONE, Private Field, runway 7, 1,000 × 42 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 63; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 509 total, 224 in this make and model, 476 as pilot in command, 11 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 330° at 8 knots - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 59 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: KMG, 30 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 19981001035589A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19981001035589A), Oct 1, 1998: Cessna 172F, Ballground, GA, Substantial damage. (-23) On oct 1, 1998 at approximately 1545 hrs. I was departing home built runway 7 (approx 70 deg), the aircraft lifted off in about 750 feet, I had about 12… ## Other investigations on N5588R (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 MIA67D0178](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA67D0178), Sep 2, 1966: Cessna 172 (N5588R), Lithonia, 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.