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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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May 16, 1987 · Cessna 172-N · N739QF

Walhalla, SC

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 16, 1987
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 minor injuries), 2 uninjured
Location
Walhalla, SC
Aircraft
Cessna 172-N
Tail Number
N739QF
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
ATL87LA138

DURING A LOCAL SIGHTSEEING FLIGHT THE PLT TRIMMED THE AIRCRAFT TO A SLOW FLIGHT CONFIGURATION, AND CIRCLED A LAKE IN THE MOUNTAINS OF SOUTH CAROLINA AT AN ALT OF APPROX 1,000 FT AGL. THE AIRCRAFT WAS NEAR MAX GROSS WEIGHT AND THE GROUND TEMP WAS 82 DEG F. THE PLT REPORTED THAT HE APPLIED FULL THROTTLE AND RAISED THE WING FLAPS; HOWEVER, THE ENGINE DID NOT RESPOND AND THE AIRCRAFT STARTED A GRADUAL DESCENT. THE PILOT STATED THAT THE ENGINE WOULD NOT PRODUCE MORE THAN 2,000 RPM AS THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH TREES AND TERRAIN. THE ENGINE WAS GROUND TESTED AND OPERATED TO FULL STATIC RPM. THE REPORTED LACK OF FULL RPM IN FLIGHT WAS NOT DETERMINED.

Full Narrative

DURING A LOCAL SIGHTSEEING FLIGHT THE PLT TRIMMED THE AIRCRAFT TO A SLOW FLIGHT CONFIGURATION, AND CIRCLED A LAKE IN THE MOUNTAINS OF SOUTH CAROLINA AT AN ALT OF APPROX 1,000 FT AGL. THE AIRCRAFT WAS NEAR MAX GROSS WEIGHT AND THE GROUND TEMP WAS 82 DEG F. THE PLT REPORTED THAT HE APPLIED FULL THROTTLE AND RAISED THE WING FLAPS; HOWEVER, THE ENGINE DID NOT RESPOND AND THE AIRCRAFT STARTED A GRADUAL DESCENT. THE PILOT STATED THAT THE ENGINE WOULD NOT PRODUCE MORE THAN 2,000 RPM AS THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH TREES AND TERRAIN. THE ENGINE WAS GROUND TESTED AND OPERATED TO FULL STATIC RPM. THE REPORTED LACK OF FULL RPM IN FLIGHT WAS NOT DETERMINED.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:30 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 172-N
Tail NumberN739QF
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-H2AD · Reciprocating · 150
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 minor injuries), 2 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor2
Uninjured2
Total4
Crew 1Age 44 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind20° @ 7 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point63 F
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time20:00
Weather SourceWFAC

External Links

Appendix: Source Data