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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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September 7, 1986 · Cessna 172N · N4892G

Fuguay-Varina, NC

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 7, 1986
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Location
Fuguay-Varina, NC
Aircraft
Cessna 172N
Tail Number
N4892G
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL86LA249

PLT SAID HE SAW FOG AROUND RWY LIGHTS AS HE FLEW OVER AIRPORT TO ENTER DOWNWIND LEG FOR RWY 16. ON SHORT FINAL, BELOW LEVEL OF TREES THAT BORDERED RWY EAST SIDE. HE LOST GROUND REFERENCES. FLAPS WERE RETRACTED TO REDUCE DRAG BUT ACFT WAS NOT ACCELERATED TO BEST RATE OF CLIMB SPEED. PITCH ATTITUDE WAS NOT PROPERLY POSITIONED TO ACCOUNT FOR FLAP RETRACTION. ACFT DID NOT CLIMB AND STRUCK TREES ATO EAST OF RWY. PLT SAID HEADING WAS MIANTAINED ON 160 DEGREES. HE TOLD FAA INSPECTOR THAT HEADING INDICATOR WAS RESET DURING THE APPROACH AND TURN TO RWY 16.

Full Narrative

PLT SAID HE SAW FOG AROUND RWY LIGHTS AS HE FLEW OVER AIRPORT TO ENTER DOWNWIND LEG FOR RWY 16. ON SHORT FINAL, BELOW LEVEL OF TREES THAT BORDERED RWY EAST SIDE. HE LOST GROUND REFERENCES. FLAPS WERE RETRACTED TO REDUCE DRAG BUT ACFT WAS NOT ACCELERATED TO BEST RATE OF CLIMB SPEED. PITCH ATTITUDE WAS NOT PROPERLY POSITIONED TO ACCOUNT FOR FLAP RETRACTION. ACFT DID NOT CLIMB AND STRUCK TREES ATO EAST OF RWY. PLT SAID HEADING WAS MIANTAINED ON 160 DEGREES. HE TOLD FAA INSPECTOR THAT HEADING INDICATOR WAS RESET DURING THE APPROACH AND TURN TO RWY 16.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time22:33 EDT
Nearest AirportTriple W Air Park (25nm E)
Runway16
Runway Length3004 ft
Runway Width70 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 172N
Tail NumberN4892G
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360-H2AD · Reciprocating · 160
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor2
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 34 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDark Night
Wind30° @ 3 kt
Visibility7 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point66 F / 66 F
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time02:50
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data