# NTSB MIA98LA063: Cessna 172N, N738YK, Valdosta, GA, January 31, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: January 31, 1998, 11:15 local (16:15 UTC) - Place: Valdosta, GA - Coordinates: 30.83986, -83.269454 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.8399&lon=-83.2695&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 15, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 38447 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA98LA063 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/38447/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA98LA063 ## Probable cause The failure of the student to recover (pull-up) from the intentional maneuver resulting in the in-flight collision with terrain. Contributing to the accident was the ostentatious display by the student. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - terrain condition - open field - pull-up - not performed, pilot in command (cause) - ostentatious display, pilot in command (contributing factor) ## Analysis The student pilot had flown low over his father who was on a tractor in a field near the crash site. The student then climbed to 3,000 feet where he performed a departure stall, followed by a descending spiral. He stated that while descending he became disoriented and did not recover from the descending spiral before impact with the ground. He further stated that he had buzzed someone on an earlier flight and was advised by his flight instructor not to do so again. He also stated that there was no airframe or engine preimpact failure or malfunction. ## Factual narrative On January 31, 1998, about 1115 eastern standard time, a Cessna 172N, N738YK, registered to the Valdosta Flying Service, Inc., dba Holland Flying Service, collided with terrain about 10 miles southeast of the Valdosta Regional Airport, Valdosta, Georgia. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the 14 CFR Part 91 instructional flight. The student pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The flight originated about 45 minutes earlier from the Valdosta Regional Airport. The student pilot stated that he flew low over his father who was on a tractor near the field where the airplane crashed. He then climbed to about 3,000 feet and performed a departure stall, then entered a descending spiral and became disoriented. He did not recover from that maneuver until impact with terrain. The student had been previously warned by his flight instructor not to "...buzz anyone", based on an earlier admission by the student that he buzzed someone on an earlier flight. The student pilot also stated that there was no airframe or engine preimpact failure or malfunction. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N738YK](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N738YK-1998-08-31), registration cancelled 1998-08-31, S/N 17270340 (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: 17270340 - Airframe hours: 5630 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Valdosta Flying Service, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, January 9, 1998, 17 hours before - Departed: VLD ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 24; student; medical: class 3, expired; seat: left; flight hours: 31 total, 21 in this make and model, 2 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 30° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 41 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: VLD ## 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 19980131000849A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980131000849A), Jan 31, 1998: Cessna 172N, Valdosta, GA, Substantial damage. Student lost control on spiral descent and impacted ground. Maneuver performed too low for timely recovery. (.4)the student pilot had flown low over his father… ## Other investigations on N738YK (1) 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. - [NTSB MKC79FER25](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC79FER25), Feb 18, 1979: Cessna 172 (N738YK), Sabin, MN, substantial damage 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.