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Casualties unknown

Student Pilot Disoriented During Descent, Impacts Ground (N738YK)

Valdosta, GA, US

On January 31, 1998, a Cessna 172N (registration N738YK) was involved in an aviation accident near Valdosta, GA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The failure of the student to recover (pull-up) from the intentional maneuver resulting in the in-flight collision with terrain. Contributing to the accident was the ostentatious display by the student. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 1 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-07-04Data APIEditorial standards

A student pilot reported becoming disoriented during a descending spiral and impacting the ground. He had previously flown low over his father and performed a departure stall before the spiral.

Incident Overview

A student pilot was conducting a flight during which he flew low over his father, who was operating a tractor in a field near the eventual crash site. The student then climbed to an altitude of 3,000 feet, where he performed a departure stall. Subsequently, he entered a descending spiral. According to the pilot's statement, he became disoriented while descending and was unable to recover from the spiral before impacting the ground.

Previous Flight Behavior

The student pilot also reported that on an earlier flight, he had "buzzed" someone, for which his flight instructor advised him not to repeat that behavior. The source does not specify the nature of the earlier incident or the exact location.

Aircraft Condition

The pilot stated that there was no pre-impact failure or malfunction of the airframe or engine. No additional details regarding aircraft performance or systems were provided in the source.

Sequence of Events

  • The pilot flew low over his father on a tractor in a field near the crash site.
  • He climbed to 3,000 feet and performed a departure stall.
  • He then entered a descending spiral.
  • During the descent, he became disoriented.
  • He did not recover from the spiral before impact with the ground.

The source does not specify whether any injuries occurred or the extent of aircraft damage.

Controlled flight into terrain

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Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 31 Jan 1998 Cessna 172N accident near Valdosta, GA?

A student pilot reported becoming disoriented during a descending spiral and impacting the ground. He had previously flown low over his father and performed a departure stall before the spiral.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 31 Jan 1998 involved a Cessna 172N, registration N738YK, at Valdosta, GA.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The failure of the student to recover (pull-up) from the intentional maneuver resulting in the in-flight collision with terrain. Contributing to the accident was the ostentatious display by the student.

More accident analyses

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001211X09486. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.