# NTSB ERA24LA057: Textron 172S, N53AA, Social Circle, GA, December 5, 2023 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: December 5, 2023, 15:00 local (20:00 UTC) - Place: Social Circle, GA - Coordinates: 33.693174, -83.657672 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.6932&lon=-83.6577&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 193481 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA24LA057 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/193481/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=193481 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24LA057 ## Probable cause An encounter with a downdraft while maneuvering at low altitude, which resulted in a collision with a fence. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Wind: downdraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034035): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Textron 172S, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034035/cases.md?model=2072449), [All aircraft, 178 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034035/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: fence/fence post](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Ability to respond/compensate; cases with it: [Textron 172S, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047/cases.md?model=2072449), [All aircraft, 313 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470) (defining event); cases with it: [Textron 172S, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2072449), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Textron 172S, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=2072449), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the flight instructor, he was simulating an engine failure with the student pilot. He selected a field to approach and proceeded to reduce the engine rpm to simulate the engine failure. They continued the maneuver until they were approximately 100 feet above the ground, at which point he instructed the student pilot to add full power and climb out. The student pilot complied, but right at that moment, the flight instructor felt a heavy gust of wind. He described it as a downdraft, and despite the engine producing full power, it would not climb. The flight instructor took control of the airplane and attempted to recover it from the descent. The airplane continued to descended until it collided with a fence and touched down in the field. During the landing roll, the airplane impacted a tree, resulting in substantial damage to the horizontal stabilizer. The pilots reported that there were no pre-accident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. An engine test run was facilitated, and no anomalies were noted during the test. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N53AA](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N53AA), registered now, S/N 172S11737, built 2016 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: TEXTRON AVIATION INC 172S - Registry model: [Textron 172S](https://openairdocs.org/model/textron-172s) (registry code 2072449) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-360-L2A](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-360-l2a) (registry code 41597, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 172S11737 - Year built: 2016 - Airframe hours: 5249 - Engines: Lycoming IO-360-L2A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, November 18, 2023 - Departed: AHN, Athens, GA - Destination: CVC, Covington, GA - Airport: 18GA, Sleepy Hollow, runway 34, 2,600 × 22 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Electronic multifunction display, Auto-pilot, ADS-B, Electronic primary flight display ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 45; injuries: none; airline transport, commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; seat: right; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 9,100 total, 239 in this make and model, 5,155 as pilot in command, 65 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days - Student pilot; age 35; injuries: none; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 121 total, 121 in this make and model, 2 as pilot in command, 28 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 280° at 9 knots, gusting 16 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 50 °F, dew point 37 °F - Altimeter: 30.09 inHg - Observed at: AHN, 23 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 20231205021429A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20231205021429A), Dec 5, 2023: Textron Aviation Inc 172S, Social Circle, GA, Substantial damage. On December 5, 2023 at approximately 15:02 local time, a Cessna 172 sustained substantial damage following a loss of control while conducting a go-around in… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 21, 2024, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=193481. 2.8 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 2.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16719031&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120%20LA057_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Weather reports and records (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 62 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16719336&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=METAR%20LA057-Rel.pdf - Engine examination summary (item 3, PDF, 2 pages, 190 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16727586&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Engine%20Examination%20LA057-Rel.pdf - Investigative photographs (item 4, PDF, 2 pages, 229 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16735758&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Investigative%20Photos%20LA057-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.