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NTSB Report
August 24, 1990 · Cessna 172 · N6173E
Palmetto, GA
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 24, 1990
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Palmetto, GA
Aircraft
Cessna 172
Tail Number
N6173E
Operator
Barnes Daniel M
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL90LA161
SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF AND WHILE ESTABLISHED ON DOWNWIND, THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HIS ENGINE BEGAN TO RUN ROUGHLY. UNABLE TO MAINTAIN ALTITUDE, HE LANDED THE AIRPLANE ON THE AIRPORT PROPERTY. AN INSPECTION OF THE ENGINE AFTER THE ACCIDENT REVEALED THAT THE LEFT MAGNETO WAS INCORRECTLY TIMED. ALSO, BOTH MAGNETOS WERE OBSERVED BREAKING DOWN DURING THE TEST RUN. THE PILOT (ALSO THE MECHANIC OF THIS AIRPLANE) REPORTED THAT THE MAG DROP ON THE LEFT MAGNETO WAS 500 RPM PRIOR TO TAKEOFF. HE ELECTED TO FLY THE AIRPLANE AS A 'TEST HOP' TO TROUBLESHOOT THE PROBLEM. WHEN A WITNESS SECURED THE AIRPLANE FOLLOWING THE ACCIDENT, HE NOTED THAT THE MAGNETO SWITCH WAS LOOSE AND FELL OUT OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WHEN HE TRIED TO TURN THE KEY. THE PILOT HAD NOT ACCOMPLISHED A BIENNIAL FLIGHT REVIEW IN OVER FIVE YEARS.
NTSB Probable Cause
THE PILOT'S OPERATION OF THE AIRPLANE WITH KNOWN MECHANICAL DEFICIENCIES. A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE IMPROPERLY MAINTAINED CONDITION OF THE MAGNETOS.
Full Narrative
SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF AND WHILE ESTABLISHED ON DOWNWIND, THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HIS ENGINE BEGAN TO RUN ROUGHLY. UNABLE TO MAINTAIN ALTITUDE, HE LANDED THE AIRPLANE ON THE AIRPORT PROPERTY. AN INSPECTION OF THE ENGINE AFTER THE ACCIDENT REVEALED THAT THE LEFT MAGNETO WAS INCORRECTLY TIMED. ALSO, BOTH MAGNETOS WERE OBSERVED BREAKING DOWN DURING THE TEST RUN. THE PILOT (ALSO THE MECHANIC OF THIS AIRPLANE) REPORTED THAT THE MAG DROP ON THE LEFT MAGNETO WAS 500 RPM PRIOR TO TAKEOFF. HE ELECTED TO FLY THE AIRPLANE AS A 'TEST HOP' TO TROUBLESHOOT THE PROBLEM. WHEN A WITNESS SECURED THE AIRPLANE FOLLOWING THE ACCIDENT, HE NOTED THAT THE MAGNETO SWITCH WAS LOOSE AND FELL OUT OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WHEN HE TRIED TO TURN THE KEY. THE PILOT HAD NOT ACCOMPLISHED A BIENNIAL FLIGHT REVIEW IN OVER FIVE YEARS.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time18:42 EDT
Nearest AirportSouth Fulton (0nm N)
Runway27
Runway Length2690 ft
Runway Width40 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftCessna 172
Tail NumberN6173E
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorBarnes Daniel M
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-300A · Reciprocating · 145
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 49 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind320° @ 6 kt
Visibility6 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point68 F
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time21:50
Weather SourceWFAC