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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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April 12, 1989 · Cessna 172 · N4898G

Xenia, OH

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 12, 1989
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Xenia, OH
Aircraft
Cessna 172
Tail Number
N4898G
Operator
Brentco Aerial Patrol
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL89LA127

THE PLT RPRTD THE ACFT ENCOUNTERED A DOWNDRAFT WHEN IT WAS ON A SHORT FINAL APCH. HE APPLIED POWER & ELECTED TO RETRACT THE WING FLAPS TO REDUCE DRAG & MINIMIZE THE SINK RATE, BUT THE FLAPS WERE RETRACTED TO THE FULL UP POSITION. ALSO, TO AVOID A STEEP EMBANKMENT AT THE APCH END OF THE RWY, THE PLT TURNED THE ACFT SLIGHTLY TO THE LEFT. HOWEVER, THE ACFT CONTINUED TO SETTLE & SUBSEQUENTLY HIT THE GROUND ABOUT 150 FT LEFT OF THE RWY & 5 FT BELOW THE CREST OF THE SLOPE. NEARBY AT DAYTON, OH, THE WIND WAS RPRTD TO BE FROM 250 DEG AT 16 GUSTING 22 KTS.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER IN-FLIGHT PLANNING/DECISION AND IMPROPER USE OF THE FLAPS. CONTRIBUTING WAS THE DOWNDRAFT.

Full Narrative

THE PLT RPRTD THE ACFT ENCOUNTERED A DOWNDRAFT WHEN IT WAS ON A SHORT FINAL APCH. HE APPLIED POWER & ELECTED TO RETRACT THE WING FLAPS TO REDUCE DRAG & MINIMIZE THE SINK RATE, BUT THE FLAPS WERE RETRACTED TO THE FULL UP POSITION. ALSO, TO AVOID A STEEP EMBANKMENT AT THE APCH END OF THE RWY, THE PLT TURNED THE ACFT SLIGHTLY TO THE LEFT. HOWEVER, THE ACFT CONTINUED TO SETTLE & SUBSEQUENTLY HIT THE GROUND ABOUT 150 FT LEFT OF THE RWY & 5 FT BELOW THE CREST OF THE SLOPE. NEARBY AT DAYTON, OH, THE WIND WAS RPRTD TO BE FROM 250 DEG AT 16 GUSTING 22 KTS.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:35 EDT
Nearest AirportGreen County (0nm N)
Runway25
Runway Length3972 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 172
Tail NumberN4898G
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorBrentco Aerial Patrol
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-H2AD · Reciprocating · 160
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 60 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind250° @ 16 kt, gusting 22 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 4500 ft
Temperature / Dew Point50 / 25 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time21:50
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data