# NTSB GAA17CA283: Cessna 172, N704RB, Atlanta, GA, May 2, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 2, 2017, 09:35 local (13:35 UTC) - Place: Atlanta, GA - Coordinates: 33.875556, -84.30194 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8756&lon=-84.3019&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 31, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - NTSB case key (mKey): 95182 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA283 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/95182/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95182 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA283 ## Probable cause The student’s incorrect use of the go-around procedure, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall, and the flight instructor’s delayed remedial action. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: pitch control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172S, 26 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022/cases.md?model=2072439), [All aircraft, 526 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022/cases.md) - [Action: delayed action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172S, 30 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md?model=2072439), [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 · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172S, 206 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072439), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: use of policy/procedure](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063032): Personnel issues › Task performance · Student/instructed pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172S, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063032/cases.md?model=2072439), [All aircraft, 191 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063032/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Abrupt maneuver](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/270); cases with it: [Cessna 172S, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/270/sequence.md?model=2072439), [All aircraft, 346 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/270/sequence.md) - [Landing: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Cessna 172S, 22 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=2072439), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172S, 21 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md?model=2072439), [All aircraft, 1,529 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md) - [Landing: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092); cases with it: [Cessna 172S, 102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=2072439), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) ## Analysis The flight instructor reported that he and his student were practicing landings. He reported that his student's approach was unstable and left of the centerline as the airplane approached the runway numbers. The instructor called for a go-around and applied full throttle, and the student pitched for a climb, but the airplane stalled. The instructor pushed the nose down to increase the airspeed, but the airplane impacted the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings and the empennage. The flight instructor reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The flight instructor reported that he and his student were practicing landings to the runway. He reported that his student's approach was unstable and left of the centerline as the airplane approached the runway numbers. The instructor called for a go-around, and applied full throttle, and the student pitched for a climb but the airplane stalled. The instructor pushed the nose down to increase the airspeed, but the airplane impacted the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings and the empennage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N704RB](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N704RB), registered now, S/N 172S9657, built 2004 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172 (SP) - Registry model: [Cessna 172S](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172s) (registry code 2072439) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-360-L2A](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-360-l2a) (registry code 41597, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 172S9657 - Year built: 2004 - Airframe hours: 4234.3 - Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-L2A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, February 6, 2017 - Departed: FTY, ATLANTA, GA - Destination: PDK, Atlanta, GA - Airport: PDK, Dekalb-Peachtree, runway 21R, 3,746 × 150 ft, asphalt - Equipment: ADS-B, Auto-pilot ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 56; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 2,700 total, 2,500 in this make and model, 2,600 as pilot in command, 50 in the last 90 days, 28 in the last 30 days - Student pilot; age 58; injuries: none; student; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 40 total, 40 in this make and model, 9 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 310° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 43 °F - Altimeter: 30.04 inHg - Observed at: KPDK ## 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 20170502007469A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170502007469A), May 2, 2017: Cessna 172S, Atlanta, GA, Substantial damage. On about 9:35 05/10/17 aircraft was landing at pdk. It had entered a right downwind for 21R. The wind was 250 at 8 knots. On final approach slightly left of… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 4, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95182. 535 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 414 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40456820&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Memorandum for Record - No Photographs (item 2, .PDF, 121 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40456821&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20-%20No%20Photographs-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.