# NTSB ERA13CA392: Cessna 172L, N7892G, McComb, MS, August 30, 2013 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 30, 2013, 12:30 local (17:30 UTC) - Place: McComb, MS - Coordinates: 31.178333, -90.471946 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.1783&lon=-90.4719&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern final: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report October 21, 2013 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - NTSB case key (mKey): 87944 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA13CA392 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/87944/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=87944 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA13CA392 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed during approach to landing, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and subsequent loss of control. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172L, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=2072432), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Student/instructed pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172L, 24 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072432), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172L, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md?model=2072432), [All aircraft, 1,529 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240); cases with it: [Cessna 172L, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=2072432), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 172L, 21 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2072432), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The student pilot was performing a solo cross country flight, and following a successful landing and departure from the first destination airport, approached the second destination airport. The final approach to the runway appeared normal until reaching the runway threshold and the stall warning horn sounded. Beyond that point the pilot could not recall what happened next. The pilot’s next recollection was of the airplane approaching a small rise off the left side of the runway. The airplane subsequently impacted the ground, which “knocked [the pilot] out.” An examination of the airplane following the accident revealed substantial damage to both wings and the firewall. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures of the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The student pilot was performing a solo cross country flight, and following a successful landing and departure from the first destination airport, approached the second destination airport. The final approach to the runway appeared normal until reaching the runway threshold and the stall warning horn sounded. Beyond that point the pilot could not recall what happened next. The pilot’s next recollection was of the airplane approaching a small rise off the left side of the runway. The airplane subsequently impacted the ground, which “knocked [the pilot] out.” An examination of the airplane following the accident revealed substantial damage to both wings and the firewall. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures of the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7892G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7892G-2018-03-29), registration cancelled 2018-03-29, S/N 17259592, built 1970 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172L - Registry model: [Cessna 172L](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172l) (registry code 2072432) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17259592 - Year built: 1970 - Airframe hours: 10416 - Engines: LYCOMING 0-320 SERIES 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Flightline Leasing Inc - Registered owner: Flightline Leasing Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 14, 2013 - Departed: LFT, LAFAYETTE, LA - Destination: MCB, McComb, MS - Airport: MCB, Mc Comb/Pike County/John E Lew, runway 33, 5,000 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 44; injuries: minor; student; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 44 total, 41 in this make and model, 7 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 66 °F - Altimeter: 30.03 inHg - Observed at: KMCB ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 25, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=87944. 3.4 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 374 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40401209&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Memorandum for Record - Telephone Interview, Pilot (item 2, .PDF, 162 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40401214&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20-%20Telephone%20Interview,%20Pilot-Master.PDF - Photo 1 - Airplane from Left (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 3, .PDF, 1.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40401210&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20-%20Airplane%20from%20Left%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF - Photo 2 - View of Airplane from Runway (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 4, .PDF, 1.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40401211&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%20-%20View%20of%20Airplane%20from%20Runway%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF 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.