# NTSB MIA92LA185: Cessna 172M, N9578H, Picayune, MS, September 19, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 19, 1992, 17:30 local (22:30 UTC)
- Place: Picayune, MS
- Coordinates: 30.519159, -89.669685 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.5192&lon=-89.6697&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 26, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 33138
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA92LA185
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/33138/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA92LA185

## Probable cause

THE PILOT IN COMMAND'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED (VSO) WHILE CONDUCTING SLOW FLIGHT AT A LOW ALTITUDE. THIS RESULTED IN AN IN FLIGHT LOSS OF CONTROL (STALL) AND SUBSEQUENT IN FLIGHT COLLISION WITH TREES.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - airspeed(vso) - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command
- In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PILOT WAS MANEUVERING THE AIRPLANE AT A LOW ALTITUDE LOOKING FOR DEER HUNTING SITES WITH AN UNAUTHORIZED PASSENGER. THE PILOT DESCENDED TO 500 FEET AGL AND EXTENDED FLAPS TO 20 DEGREES AND BEGAN SLOW FLIGHT AT ABOUT 45 KNOTS OF AIRSPEED. THE PILOT DESCENDED DOWN TO 300 FEET AGL AND CONTINUED THE SLOW FLIGHT. THE NOSE OF THE AIRPLANE PITCHED DOWN AND THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH THE TREES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9578H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9578H-1992-10-26), registration cancelled 1992-10-26, S/N 17266241 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172M
- Registry model: [Cessna 172M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172m) (registry code 2072418) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 172-66241
- Airframe hours: 4341
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Phillips Aviation
- Registered owner: Phillips Aviation
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 12, 1992, 86 hours before
- Departed: MSO3, POPLARVILLE, MS
- Destination: MSO3

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 21; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 60 total, 2 in this make and model, 60 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 5 knots
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: GPT, 31 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 19920919037619A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920919037619A), Sep 19, 1992: Cessna 172M, Picayune, MS, Destroyed. Stalled into trees in slow flight,flaps down,looking for deer sights. Had unauthorized passenger onboard.

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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