Cessna 172 accident near Perry, Georgia, June 27, 2002
On June 27, 2002 at about 10:30 pm local time, a Cessna 172, registered N4406L, was substantially damaged in an accident near Perry, Georgia (Middle Georgia airport). It was a flight test under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's inadequate preflight inspection that resulted in fuel starvation due to fuel system contamination and the subsequent loss of engine power.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 27, 2002 · about 10:30 pm local time
- Place
- Perry, Georgia · Middle Georgia · map
- Type
- Accident · collision on the ground
- Injuries
- 2 people were seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 172 · all 172s on the register
- Registration
- N4406L · no longer on the register · serial 17254491
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Flight test · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
According to the pilot while returning from a local flight the engine lost power. During the forced landing the airplane struck power lines. No prior flight control or mechanical problems were reported. A large quantity of dirt was found during the visual examination of the fuel tanks. The fuel strainer and the carburetor fuel screen also contained dirt. The pilot did not report completing a preflight inspection of the before the flight. According to the Cessna 172 owner's manual, on the first flight of the day or after refueling, during the exterior inspection of the airplane, the fuel strainer should be drained to clear the fuel system of possible water and sediment.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Flight instructor
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; instructor: airplane single-engine; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 2,400 hours in all; 2,200 in this make and model; 50 in the last 90 days; 20 in the last 30 days; 2,000 as pilot in command; 500 on instruments
- Last flight review: May 20, 2002
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: serious injuries
Dual student
- Certificate: student
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,851 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, June 1, 2002; 6 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,300 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental O-300D (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 68GA Perry GA at 11:00 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 18, 2,500 ft by 75 ft
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 270° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 4,000 ft
- Temperature: 88°F (31°C), dew point 66°F (19°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 9:53 pm from MCN
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 2 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.