# NTSB ERA26LA092: Cessna 172P, N96493, Flemington, GA, January 9, 2026 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: January 9, 2026, 15:39 local (20:39 UTC) - Place: Flemington, GA - Coordinates: 31.889563, -81.562698 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.8896&lon=-81.5627&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Fuel related](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/190) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 14, 2026 - 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): 202290 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA26LA092 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/202290/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=202290 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA26LA092 ## Probable cause The pilot’s inadvertent manipulation of the mixture control, which resulted in a total loss of engine power during initial climb and a subsequent forced lading. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Engine controls: mixture control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057602): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172P, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057602/cases.md?model=2072436), [All aircraft, 41 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057602/cases.md) - [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172P, 19 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=2072436), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Fuel related](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/190) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172P, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/190/sequence.md?model=2072436), [All aircraft, 361 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/190/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Cessna 172P, 22 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=2072436), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Cessna 172P, 18 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=2072436), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis Shortly after takeoff, during the initial climb, the pilot stated that he perceived that the airplane’s engine noise was louder than normal. After ensuring that the pilot and passenger side windows were closed and locked, he decided that he would decrease the engine throttle slightly to diagnose the sound. When the pilot reached for the throttle, he inadvertently grabbed the mixture control, and after pulling it back, the engine lost power completely. The pilot attempted to restart the engine twice, but both attempts were unsuccessful. As the airplane was approaching a tree line, and only at an altitude of about 300 ft above the ground, the pilot decided to turn back to a field that was near the end of the runway. The pilot subsequently landed the airplane off-airport, and during the landing roll the nose landing gear encountered a rut. The airplane subsequently nosed over, resulting in substantial damage to the airplane’s rudder and wings. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures of the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N96493](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N96493), registered now, S/N 17276080 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172P - Registry model: [Cessna 172P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172p) (registry code 2072436) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17276080 - Airframe hours: 16450 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320 D2J 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, December 22, 2025, 58 hours before - Airport: LHW, Wright Aaf (Fort Stewart)/Midcoast Rgnl, runway 15L, 5,001 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Stall warning system, ADS-B, Auto-pilot, Electronic primary flight display ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 47; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review September 12, 2025; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 3,310 total, 203 in this make and model, 1,487 as pilot in command, 54 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 130° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 30.13 inHg - Observed at: LHW - METAR: METAR KLHW 091955Z AUTO 13008KT 10SM SCT042 28/17 A3013 RMK AO2 SLP206 T02750170 $ ## 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 20260109000449A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20260109000449A), Jan 9, 2026: Cessna 172P, Hinesville, GA, Substantial damage. Initial assessment of the aircraft revealed that the aircraft had sustained substantial damage to the landing gear, left and right-wing spar and engine… ## Other investigations on N96493 (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 FTW92LA091](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW92LA091), Mar 16, 1992: Cessna 172P (N96493), West Helena, AR, substantial damage. Probable cause: PILOT'S IMPROPER FLAREA ND IMPROPER RECOVERY FROM A BOUNCED LANDING. ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 14, 2026, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=202290. 6.0 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 10 pages, 4.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19843345&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Memorandum for record a�� telephone interview, pilot (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 108 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19840834&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=MEMORANDUM%20FOR%20RECORD-Rel.pdf - Investigative photo (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 1.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19840287&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Investigative%20Photos-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.