# NTSB FTW90LA174: Cessna C172N, N6434J, Marietta, OK, September 1, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 31, 1990, 21:45 local (Sep 1, 1990, 02:45 UTC)
- Place: Marietta, OK
- Coordinates: 33.929309, -97.120063 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.9293&lon=-97.1201&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 9, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23179
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW90LA174
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23179/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW90LA174

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO ATTAIN THE PROPER CLIMB RATE AFTER TAKEOFF RESULTING IN THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDING WITH TREES AT THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RUNWAY. CONTRIBUING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT IN COMMANDS FAILURE TO ACCOUNT FOR HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - proper climb rate - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb

## Analysis

DURING A DEPARTURE FROM AN UNIMPROVED AIRSTRIP THE PILOT DID NOT CORRECTLY PLAN FOR HIS HIGH GROSS WEIGHT, HIGH TEMPERATUURE, AND LACK OF WINDS, WHICH RESULTED IN THE AIRPLANE FAILURE TO GAIN SUFFICIENT ALTITUDE TO CLEAR THE OBJECTS AT THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RUNWAY. THE DENSITY ALTITUDE WAS 3,475 FEET.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6434J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6434J-1990-10-31), registration cancelled 1990-10-31, S/N 17273873 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA C172N
- Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15063034
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Evans, Ronald D.
- Departed: T40, MCGEHEE CATFISH, OK
- Destination: ADS, ADDISON, TX
- Airport: T40, Mcgehee Catfish, runway 35, 2,450 × 60 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 25; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 141 total, 27 in this make and model, 107 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 330° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: ADM, 16 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 19900831037859A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900831037859A), Aug 31, 1990: Cessna 172N, Marietta, OK, Substantial damage. Hot day and loaded near gross weight failed to clear trees at end of sod strip.

## Other investigations on N6434J (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 FTW89LA105](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW89LA105), May 26, 1989: Cessna 172 (N6434J), Addison, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN CLEARANCE FROM THE TELEPHONE POLE. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: DARKNESS, THE PILOT'S DISORIENTATION, LACK OF VISUAL PERCEPTION AT NIGHT, THE TELEPHONE…

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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