# NTSB MIA94LA139: Cessna 172P, N99998, Fernandina, FL, May 14, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 14, 1994, 14:00 local (18:00 UTC) - Place: Fernandina, FL - Coordinates: 30.649744, -81.43959 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.6497&lon=-81.4396&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report November 18, 1994 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 37545 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA94LA139 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37545/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA94LA139 ## Probable cause THE PILOT IN COMMAND'S IMPROPER USE OF FLIGHT CONTROLS AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED RESULTING IN AN INADVERTENT STALL AND UNCONTROLLED DESCENT TO GROUND IMPACT. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, go-around (vfr) - rudder - improper use of, pilot in command (cause) - aileron - improper use of, pilot in command (cause) - airspeed(vs) - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis The student-rated pilot stated that while on final approach with 20 degrees of flaps and an airspeed of 65 knots, the left wing dropped to a 20-degree left bank angle. He applied left rudder and right aileron to correct the bank. This had no effect so he initiated a go-around. After removing carburetor heat and applying power the aircraft's nose pitched up and the left wing dropped to a 30-degree bank angle. The stall warning horn then activated and the aircraft's nosed dropped. The aircraft descended and impacted the ground. The pilot reported he had no mechanical difficulties with the aircraft. ## Factual narrative On May 14, 1994, about 1400 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172P, N99998, registered to Civil Air Patrol Inc., operating as a 14 CFR Part 91 solo instructional flight crashed at Fernandina Beach, Florida while making a go-around. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The student-rated pilot sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated Fernandina Beach, Florida, on May 14, 1994, at 1345. The pilot stated he was on short final approach to runway 4 at 40 feet agl with flaps extended to 20 degrees and an airspeed of 65 knots. The left wing dropped to a 20-degree bank angle. He attempted to correct the bank with left rudder and right aileron with no success. He turned off carburetor heat and applied power to go-around. The aircraft nosed up and the left wing dropped to a 30-degree bank. The stall warning horn then sounded and the aircraft nosed down. The aircraft descended and impacted the ground. He stated he had no mechanical problems with the aircraft. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N99998](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N99998-1997-11-24), registration cancelled 1997-11-24, S/N 17276536 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172P - Registry model: [Cessna 172P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172p) (registry code 2072436) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17276536 - Airframe hours: 3622 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D2J 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Civil Air Patrol - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility - Last inspection: 100 hour, March 18, 1994, 76 hours before - Airport: 55J, Fernandina Beach Municipa, runway 4, 5,350 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 46; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 48 total, 47 in this make and model, 1 as pilot in command, 19 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 130° at 7 knots - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 72 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: JAX, 15 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 19940514010969A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940514010969A), May 14, 1994: Cessna 172P, Fernandina Beac, FL, Substantial damage. Too slow on final added power heat off. Failed lower nose. Stalled. Impacted short of runway. 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.