# NTSB MIA95LA075: Cessna 172K, N79157, Wrightsville, GA, February 13, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 12, 1995, 20:20 local (Feb 13, 1995, 01:20 UTC)
- Place: Wrightsville, GA
- Coordinates: 32.719654, -82.720565 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.7197&lon=-82.7206&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report May 18, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 37731
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA95LA075
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37731/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA95LA075

## Probable cause

THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED WHILE MANEUVERING IN A TURN. THE LOW ALTITUDE AT THE TIME OF THE STALL WAS A FACTOR.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command
  - airspeed - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper altitude - unavailable, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - tree(s)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED HE STALLED THE AIRPLANE WHILE IN A SLOW, LEFT TURN, AT A LOW ALTITUDE. THE AIRPLANE THEN ENTERED A NOSE LOW ATTITUDE, COLLIDED WITH A TREE, AND HIT THE GROUND.

## Factual narrative

On February 12, 1995, about 2020 eastern standard time, N79157, a Cessna 172-K, registered to Kopfman Farms Inc.,  crashed in Wrightsville, Georgia, while on a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the flight. The airplane was substantially damaged, the private-rated pilot was seriously injured, and the passenger received minor injuries. The origin of the flight was a small airstrip near the accident scene about 10 minutes earlier.

The pilot stated, while in a slow left turn, his airplane stalled at a low altitude. After the stall the airplane's left wing collided with a tree turning the airplane 180 degrees.  The airplane then hit the ground in a nose-low attitude with 20 degrees of flaps extended.

Witnesses stated they observed the airplane stall at a low altitude, clip trees, and crash in a field.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N79157](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N79157-2014-11-19), registration cancelled 2014-11-19, S/N 17257923, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172K
- Registry model: [Cessna 172K](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172k) (registry code 2072430) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17257923
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360A1A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: George Conley
- Registered owner: Kopfman Farms Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 19, 1995
- Departed: UNK, GA
- Destination: UNK, GA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 720 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 330° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 14 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MCN

## 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 19950212001559A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950212001559A), Feb 12, 1995: Cessna 172K, Wrightville, GA, Substantial damage. Stalled in a slow turn at a low altitude.

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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