# NTSB MIA91LA042: Cessna 172G, N5780R, Jacksonville, FL, December 12, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 12, 1990, 06:30 local (11:30 UTC)
- Place: Jacksonville, FL
- Coordinates: 30.269977, -81.750991 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.2700&lon=-81.7510&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report December 14, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32802
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA91LA042
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32802/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA91LA042

## Probable cause

FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRCRAFT CONTROL AFTER INTENTIONAL FLIGHT INTO KNOWN ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - flight into known adverse weather - intentional, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PLT DEPARTED INTO KNOWN FOGGY CONDITIONS WITH A PAX ABOARD TO PRACTICE TOUCH-&-GO LANDINGS. AFTER TAKEOFF THE FLT ENCOUNTERED FOG & THE STUDENT LOST CONTROL OF THE ACFT, STALLED, DESCENDED UNCONTROLLED INTO TREES. THERE WAS NO ENG OR FLT CONTROL FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5780R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5780R-1991-06-05), registration cancelled 1991-06-05, S/N 17253449 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172G
- Registry model: [Cessna 172G](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172g) (registry code 2072420) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17253449
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300-D 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Weeks, Milton D.
- Registered owner: Weeks, Milton D.
- Airport: 23J, Herlong, runway 25, 4,000 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 145 total, 145 in this make and model, 75 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Dawn
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 37 °F, dew point 34 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: NZC, 5 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 19901212053889A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19901212053889A), Dec 12, 1990: Cessna 172G, Jacksonville, FL, Destroyed. Took off into fog. Stalled into trees. Unauthorized passenger.

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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