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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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February 1, 1986 · Cessna 172P · N52238

Alexander City, AL

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 1, 1986
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury), 3 uninjured
Location
Alexander City, AL
Aircraft
Cessna 172P
Tail Number
N52238
Operator
William G Birchfield
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL86LA068

THE ACFT WAS OBSERVED TO MAKE ONE TAKEOFF AND LANDING FROM AN UMIMPROVED PASTURE. THE SECOND TAKEOFF ATTEMPTED WAS UNSUCCESSFUL AND THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH A TREE AND CRASHED TO THE GROUND. THE PLT DID NOT REPORT ANY MECHANICAL PROBLEMS WITH THE ACFT. THERE WERE THREE PASSENGERS ONBOARD FOR THIS LAST TAKEOFF ATTEMPT.

Full Narrative

THE ACFT WAS OBSERVED TO MAKE ONE TAKEOFF AND LANDING FROM AN UMIMPROVED PASTURE. THE SECOND TAKEOFF ATTEMPTED WAS UNSUCCESSFUL AND THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH A TREE AND CRASHED TO THE GROUND. THE PLT DID NOT REPORT ANY MECHANICAL PROBLEMS WITH THE ACFT. THERE WERE THREE PASSENGERS ONBOARD FOR THIS LAST TAKEOFF ATTEMPT.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:00 CST
Nearest Airport0nm S
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 172P
Tail NumberN52238
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorWilliam G Birchfield
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-02J · Reciprocating · 160
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury), 3 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured3
Total4
Crew 1Age 57 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind150° @ 7 kt
Visibility7 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point30 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time02:50
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data