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NTSB Report
August 4, 1990 · Cessna 172L · N4386Q
Greensboro, AL
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 4, 1990
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (5 uninjured)
Location
Greensboro, AL
Aircraft
Cessna 172L
Tail Number
N4386Q
Operator
Southernaire Carrier
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL90LA155
THE PILOT WAS IN CRUISE FLIGHT WHEN HIS ENGINE BEGAN RUNNING ROUGHLY AND VIBRATING. HE ELECTED TO MAKE AN EMERGENCY LANDING AT A NEARBY AIRPORT WHEN HE COULD NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. HE MADE TWO VISUAL APPROACHES TO THE LANDING RUNWAY, BUT WAS UNABLE TO LAND THE AIRPLANE. HE STATED THAT HE WAS 'TOO HIGH AND TOO FAST' ON BOTH APPROACH ATTEMPTS. ON THE THIRD ATTEMPT, HE LANDED 300 METERS PAST THE DEPARTURE END OF THE LANDING RUNWAY, WHICH IS 3,500 FEET LONG. THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH A FENCE AND FLIPPED OVER. HE STATED THAT HE WAS 'SHANKEN UP' BY THE PROBLEM HE WAS HAVING WITH HIS ENGINE. INSPECTION OF THE ENGINE AFTER THE ACCIDENT REVEALED A FAILED NUMBER THREE CYLINDER EXHAUST VALVE.
NTSB Probable Cause
THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN PROPER AIRSPEED AND ATTAIN THE PROPER TOUCHDOWN POINT DURING THE EMERGENCY LANDING.
Full Narrative
THE PILOT WAS IN CRUISE FLIGHT WHEN HIS ENGINE BEGAN RUNNING ROUGHLY AND VIBRATING. HE ELECTED TO MAKE AN EMERGENCY LANDING AT A NEARBY AIRPORT WHEN HE COULD NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. HE MADE TWO VISUAL APPROACHES TO THE LANDING RUNWAY, BUT WAS UNABLE TO LAND THE AIRPLANE. HE STATED THAT HE WAS 'TOO HIGH AND TOO FAST' ON BOTH APPROACH ATTEMPTS. ON THE THIRD ATTEMPT, HE LANDED 300 METERS PAST THE DEPARTURE END OF THE LANDING RUNWAY, WHICH IS 3,500 FEET LONG. THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH A FENCE AND FLIPPED OVER. HE STATED THAT HE WAS 'SHANKEN UP' BY THE PROBLEM HE WAS HAVING WITH HIS ENGINE. INSPECTION OF THE ENGINE AFTER THE ACCIDENT REVEALED A FAILED NUMBER THREE CYLINDER EXHAUST VALVE.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:30 CDT
Nearest AirportGreensboro Municipal (0nm N)
Runway18
Runway Length3500 ft
Runway Width80 ft
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftCessna 172L
Tail NumberN4386Q
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorSouthernaire Carrier
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-E2D · Reciprocating · 150
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (5 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured5
Total5
Crew 1Age 33 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind230° @ 6 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Weather SourcePILO