Cessna 172K accident near Wilmington, North Carolina, July 27, 1989
On July 27, 1989 at about 1:30 am local time, a Cessna 172K, registered N7444G, was substantially damaged in an accident near Wilmington, North Carolina (Winnabow M.C. airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
THE INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PREPARATION/PLANNING BY THE PILOT REGARDING THE UNIQUE LIGHT FEATURES ON RUNWAY 18 (LIGHTS MOUNTED ALONG THE EAST SIDE ONLY). IN ADDITION THE PILOT FAILED TO ALIGN THE AIRPLANE WITH THE RUNWAY AND STRUCK A VEHICLE THAT WAS PARKED BETWEEN THE LIGHTS.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 27, 1989 · about 1:30 am local time
- Place
- Wilmington, North Carolina · Winnabow M.C. · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 172K · all 172Ks on the register
- Registration
- N7444G · no longer on the register · serial 17259144
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE PILOT WAS CONDUCTING NIGHT LANDINGS AT A PRIVATE AIRSTRIP. THE RUNWAY ONLY HAS ONE SET OF EDGE LIGHTS, LOCATED ON THE EAST SIDE. THE PILOT TURNED BASE TO FINAL AND LINED UP ON CENTER WITH THE LIGHTS. THE PILOT REALIZED THE MISALIGNMENT AFTER CORSSING THE RUNWAY THRESHOLD AND ATTEMPTED TO CORRECT BY BANKING. THE AIRPLANE STRUCK A VEHICLE PARKED BETWEEN THE RUNWAY EDGE LIGHTS.
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
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Flight time: 174 hours in all; 107 in this make and model; 12 in the last 90 days; 10 in the last 30 days; 136 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: unk
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded
- Maximum gross weight: 2,300 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-E2D (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 55W Wilmington NC at 1:15 am
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 15, 3,500 ft by 18 ft
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: night, dark
- Wind: at 4 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 75°F (24°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
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.