On May 6, 1984, a Cessna 172RG (registration N6293V) operated by Charles Brown Flying Club,inc was involved in an aviation accident near Dallas, GA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during flight, resulting in a collision with terrain, likely exacerbated by being out of practice and not current in the specific aircraft type. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
An aircraft collided with rising terrain approximately thirty minutes after takeoff during an unauthorized flight. The private pilot had not flown in roughly a year and lacked recent checkout in the specific aircraft model.
What happened
The incident occurred approximately one-half hour after the aircraft departed its origin point. During this phase of flight, the aircraft collided with rising terrain and was subsequently destroyed. The operation was unauthorized, and no witnesses observed the crash event. Weather conditions at the time of the accident remain unknown.
On board were a private pilot and a student pilot. Records indicate that the private pilot had likely not flown in approximately one year and was not checked out in the model of aircraft involved in this accident.
The investigation
Investigation of the wreckage revealed specific details regarding the impact and mechanical state. The angle of impact was estimated to be between 75 and 90 degrees nose low. Examination of the propeller assembly showed chordwise scratches and deep leading edge nicks on both blades. One blade exhibited twisting, suggesting significant force at the moment of contact. No indication of preimpact engine malfunction was noted.
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during flight, resulting in a collision with terrain, likely exacerbated by being out of practice and not current in the specific aircraft type.