# NTSB MIA88FA044: Cessna 172N, N246ER, Palm Coast, FL, November 24, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: November 24, 1987, 14:45 local (19:45 UTC)
- Place: Palm Coast, FL
- Location: 29.5850° N, 81.2078° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Palm Coast, FL, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.5850&lon=-81.2078&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report August 12, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31996
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA88FA044
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31996/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA88FA044

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - residence (contributing factor)
  - clearance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PLT WAS FLYING THE ACFT ON A SOLO INSTRUCTIONAL FLT IN THE NORTH PRACTICE AREA & WAS ASSIGNED TO PRACTICE LANDINGS, TAKEOFFS, STALLS & SLOW FLT. WITNESSES STATED THEY OBSERVED THE ACFT FLYING AT A VERY LOW ALTITUDE JUST BEFORE IT COLLIDED WITH A HOUSE & CAME TO REST IN THE WOODS BEHIND IT. THE ACFT WAS ALSO OBSERVED AT NEAR TREETOP HEIGHT, APRX 1 MI FROM THE ACDNT SITE. WITNESSES DESCRIBED LOUD ENG SOUNDS AS THE ACFT FLEW OVER AN INTERCOASTAL WATERWAY BEFORE THE CRASH. A POST CRASH EXAM OF THE ACFT, ENG, & RELATED COMPONENTS REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION PRIOR TO IMPACT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N246ER](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N246ER-1991-03-01), registration cancelled 1991-03-01, S/N 17270055 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172N
- Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17270055
- Airframe hours: 1855
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D2J 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Embry Riddle Aeronautical Univ
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: AAIP, November 8, 1987, 56 hours before
- Departed: DAB, DAYTONA BEACH, FL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 20; student; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 44 total, 34 in this make and model, 9 as pilot in command, 13 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 110° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,300 ft overcast
- Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 63 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: DAB, 30 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 19871124081869A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19871124081869A), Nov 24, 1987: Cessna 172N, Palm Coast, FL, Destroyed. Observed flying low over trees then struck a house. Was supposed to be practicing maneuvers at 2000 feet AGL.

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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