# NTSB BFO89LA044: Cessna 172A, N7605T, Madison Heights, VA, June 12, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 12, 1989, 11:30 local (15:30 UTC)
- Place: Madison Heights, VA
- Location: 37.4503° N, 79.1082° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Madison Heights, VA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.4503&lon=-79.1082&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 11, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11507
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO89LA044
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11507/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO89LA044

## Probable cause

STUDENT PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN PROPER AIRSPEED DURING THE LANDING ATTEMPT WHICH RESULTED IN THE INITIATION OF A GO-AROUND. CONTRIBUTING FACTORS TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE PILOT'S POOR PREFLIGHT PLANNING AND HIS BECOMING DISORIENTED DURING THE FLIGHT. ALSO CONTRIBUTING WAS THE LOW FUEL LEVEL AND THE PILOT'S LACK OF TOTAL EXPERIENCE.

## 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)
  - preflight planning/preparation - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - haze/smoke (contributing factor)
  - became lost/disoriented - inadvertent, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - precautionary landing - attempted, pilot in command
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - excessive, pilot in command (cause)
  - go-around - attempted, pilot in command
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - distance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7605T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7605T-1991-09-03), registration cancelled 1991-09-03, S/N 47205 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172A
- Registry model: [Cessna 172A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172a) (registry code 2072404) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 47205
- Airframe hours: 1907
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300-C 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: William G. Arey, Jr.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 20, 1989, 18 hours before
- Departed: W13, WAYNESBORO, VA
- Destination: W13, WAYNESBORO, VA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 37 total, 37 in this make and model, 13 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 140° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: LYN, 8 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 19890612059119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890612059119A), Jun 12, 1989: Cessna 172A, Madison Heights, VA, Substantial damage. Unable to locate airport on solo crosscountry due to haze. Tried to return, low on fuel, overshot landing area.

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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