# NTSB ERA22FA161: Cessna 172, N1410F, Dahlonega, GA, March 19, 2022 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report - Date: March 19, 2022, 18:52 local (22:52 UTC) - Place: Dahlonega, GA - Coordinates: 34.569722, -84.0259 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.5697&lon=-84.0259&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: Lycoming, Textron, FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 104801 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA22FA161 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/104801/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=104801 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22FA161 ## Probable cause The pilot’s delay in initiating a go-around and his failure to maintain airplane control during the initial climb, which resulted in the exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack and an aerodynamic stall. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Action: delayed action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172H, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md?model=2072424), [All aircraft, 894 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172H, 15 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072424), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: angle of attack](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Capability exceeded; cases with it: [Cessna 172H, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/cases.md?model=2072424), [All aircraft, 990 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/cases.md) - [Experience/qualifications](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031000): Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172H, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031000/cases.md?model=2072424), [All aircraft, 18 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-aborted after touchdown: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900); cases with it: [Cessna 172H, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=2072424), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172H, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md?model=2072424), [All aircraft, 1,529 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md) - [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 172H, 20 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2072424), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot obtained his private pilot certificate about 1 year prior to the accident and had accumulated a total flight experience of approximately 94 hours at the time of the accident. Toward the end of the cross-country flight, the pilot flew a straight-in approach to a valley airport. The airplane made a high speed approach (about 95 knots true airspeed) with the flaps retracted. Witnesses reported that the airplane touched down and bounced twice on its nose landing gear. When the airplane was toward the end of the runway, engine noise increased, and the airplane began a climbing left turn to clear trees. The airplane subsequently impacted terrain. Postaccident examination of the wreckage revealed no preimpact mechanical malfunctions. The debris path and impact signatures were consistent with an aerodynamic stall. Based on the evidence, the pilot likely made a delayed decision to perform a go-around after touchdown and exceeded the airplane’s critical angle of attack as the airplane began the climbing left turn to avoid trees. ## Factual narrative A copy of the security video footage was forwarded to the National Transportation Safety Board Vehicle Recorders Laboratory, Washington, DC (for more information, see Video Study in the public docket for this accident). On March 19, 2022, about 1852 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172H, N1410F, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Dahlonega, Georgia. The private pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. Review of automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B) data revealed that the airplane departed Athens Ben Epps Airport (AHN), Athens, Georgia, about 1817. According to the ADS B data, witness reports, and a video from an off-airport security camera, the airplane flew a straight-in approach to runway 33 at Lumpkin County-Wimpy’s Airport (9A0), Dahlonega, Georgia. Two witnesses stated that the airplane approached “fast” with the flaps retracted. ADS-B data showed that the groundspeed was about 85 knots. The airplane touched down on the runway and bounced twice on its nose landing gear. When the airplane was toward the end of the runway, the engine noise increased, and the airplane began a climbing left turn to clear trees, which was followed by the sound of impact. The airplane wreckage was located in a residential yard beyond the end of the runway. The weather reporting station nearest to the accident site, about 20 nautical miles southeast, reported winds from 290° at 13 knots, gusting to 22 knots. Given the runway orientation, wind from 290° would have resulted in a left quartering headwind for the pilot’s straight-in approach. Witnesses at the airport reported “calm,” “very light,” or “little to no" wind about the time of the accident, with one noting that the pilot may not have known that “the winds blowing earlier in the day had died down.” No evidence indicated that the pilot received a weather briefing before the flight. The pilot obtained his private pilot certificate about 1 year before the accident and had accumulated about 94 hours of total flight experience at the time of the accident. The wreckage came to rest upright oriented on a magnetic heading of about 120°. Both wing tanks were breached, and a strong smell of fuel was present at the accident site. A 65-ft debris path was observed along a magnetic heading of 270°. the debris path began with tree scars that were at a height of about 50 ft. A branch recovered along the debris path exhibited a 45° cut with gray paint transfer. A crater that was about 3 ft long, 2ft wide, and 1 ft deep was observed along the debris path about 10 ft from the wreckage. The wreckage remained intact. Both wings exhibited leading-edge damage; the left wing exhibited more damage outboard. The flaps and ailerons remained attached to their respective wing. The empennage remained intact and was canted to the left; it was undamaged except for left horizontal stabilizer leading-edge damage. Flightcontrol continuity was confirmed from all flight control surfaces to the cabin area. Measurement of the flap actuator corresponded to flaps in the retracted position. Measurement of the elevator trim jackscrew corresponded to a 10° trim-tab-up position; the trim wheel in the cockpit was set at the neutral/takeoff position. The cockpit area was crushed. GPS data were recovered from a ForeFlight application on the pilot’s iPad. The engine remained attached to the airframe, and the propeller remained attached to the engine. Both propeller blades exhibited chordwise scratching and leading-edge gouging. The propeller was able to be rotated by hand. Crankshaft, camshaft, and valve train continuity were confirmed, and thumb compression was attained on all cylinders. Both magnetos were rotated by hand and produced spark at all leads. The carburetor was disassembled, and its components remained intact. Examination of the engine revealed no preimpact mechanical malfunctions. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1410F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1410F-2023-06-29), registration cancelled 2023-06-29, S/N 17254905, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172 (H) - Registry model: [Cessna 172H](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172h) (registry code 2072424) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17254905 - Year built: 1966 - Airframe hours: 8946 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-A1A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Blue Ridge Mountain Flyers Inc - Registered owner: Blue Ridge Mountain Flyers Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, February 25, 2022, 13 hours before - Departed: AHN, Athens, GA - Destination: Same as departure - Airport: 9A0, Lumpkin County-Wimpys Airport, runway 33, 3,024 × 50 ft, asphalt - Equipment: ADS-B, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Electronic primary flight display, Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 39; injuries: fatal; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review March 9, 2021; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; toxicology performed; flight hours: 94 total, 94 in this make and model, 28 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 290° at 13 knots, gusting 22 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 37 °F - Altimeter: 30.03 inHg - Observed at: GVL, 20 nm away - METAR: KGVL 192253Z AUTO 29013G22KT 10SM CLR 14/03 A3003 ## 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 20220319003989A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20220319003989A), Mar 19, 2022: Cessna 172H, Dahlaonega, GA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. The pilot was attempting a landing at a high rate of speed with no flaps. The aircraft landed nose wheel first with the mains following in a harsh manner. The… ## Docket (17 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 27, 2023, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=104801. 40.4 MB in all. - Witness statements (item 1, PDF, 4 pages, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14498708&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Witness%20Statements_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Interview summary (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 134 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14498953&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Interview%20Summary-Rel.pdf - Pilot logbook (item 3, PDF, 10 pages, 2.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14498718&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Pilot%20Logbook_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Excerpts from maintenance logbooks (item 4, PDF, 6 pages, 1.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14499213&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Mx%20Logbooks_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Weather report (item 5, PDF, 3 pages, 1.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14499577&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Metars-Rel.pdf - GPS plots (item 6, PDF, 2 pages, 189 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14499391&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=GPS%20Plots-Rel.pdf - GPS data from ipad (item 7, CSV, 150 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14498307&FileExtension=csv&FileName=ERA22FA161_ExtractedData-Rel.csv - Wreckage examination (item 8, PDF, 3 pages, 419 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14499223&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Wreckage%20Examination-Rel.pdf - Photo array (item 9, PDF, 4 pages, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14499324&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Array-Rel.pdf - Toxicological report (item 10, PDF, 1 page, 154 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14499587&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Tox_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Security camera - specialist's video study (video courtesy of steve widincamp) (item 11, PDF, 4 pages, 146 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14544172&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ERA22FA161%20Security%20Video%20Factual_final-Rel.pdf - Attachment 1 to security video - specialist's study (item 12, MOV, 6.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14544182&FileExtension=MOV&FileName=Firstname_Lastname_Video-Rel.MOV - Attachment 2 to security video - specialist's study (item 13, MP4, 943 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14544539&FileExtension=mp4&FileName=ERA22FA161_Cropped_Centered_FullSpeed-Rel.mp4 - Attachment 3 to security video - specialist's study (item 14, MP4, 3.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14544501&FileExtension=mp4&FileName=ERA22FA161_Cropped_Centered_25PercentSpeed-Rel.mp4 - Attachment 4 to security video - specialist's study (item 15, MP4, 18.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14544348&FileExtension=mp4&FileName=ERA22FA161_Scrubbed_Screen_Recording-Rel.mp4 - Statement of party representatives to NTSB investigation (item 16, PDF, 10 pages, 443 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14499334&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB%20Party%20Forms_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Wreckage release and evidence control (item 17, PDF, 3 pages, 2.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14499121&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Wreckage%20Release_Redacted-Rel.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.