Cessna 172 accident near Decatur, Georgia, November 4, 2021
On November 4, 2021 at about 1:47 pm local time, a 1959 Cessna 172, registered N172XX, was substantially damaged in an accident during enroute (cruise) near Decatur, Georgia (Dekalb-Peachtree airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
Oil exhaustion due to an oil leak that resulted in a total 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
- November 4, 2021 · about 1:47 pm local time
- Place
- Decatur, Georgia · Dekalb-Peachtree · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 172 A, built 1959 · all 172s on the register
- Registration
- N172XX · registry record · serial 47123
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The student pilot reported that, before takeoff, he added 1 quart of oil, bringing the oil quantity to full capacity. Shortly after takeoff, while the airplane was at an altitude of 1,500 ft mean sea level, the pilot noted that the engine began running roughly, which was followed by a total loss of engine power. He pitched the airplane to attain its best glide airspeed. He descended the airplane for a forced landing to a four-lane road, during which the airplane struck powerlines and came to rest inverted on the road. Postaccident examination of the engine found that crankcase was breached consistent with a catastrophic failure. Additionally, a substantial amount of oil was covering the exterior of the bottom fuselage skin from the engine compartment to the tailcone, fresh oil was noted in the cockpit floor area, and only a minimal amount of oil remained in the engine. Given this information it is most likely that the total loss of engine power occurred due to oil exhaustion, that was precipitated by an oil leak. At the rear portion of the engine, the oil filter adapter and its attached base had separated from the accessory case. Although it is possible that the oil leak emanated from this location, the available evidence for this investigation precluded a definitive determination of the source for the oil leak.
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
What happened, in order
- Loss of engine power (total) during enroute (cruise) defining event
- Off-field or emergency landing during emergency descent
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during emergency descent
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware › Fluids › Oil › Fluid level
- Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine (reciprocating) › Recip engine power section › Damaged/degraded
Pilot
- Certificate: student
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 4,531 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, January 19, 2014; 181 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,200 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental O-300-C (piston); 4,712 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: PDK Atlanta GA at 1:41 pm
- Destination: PXE Perry GA
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 040° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 3,100 ft; a few clouds at 900 ft
- Temperature: 45°F (7°C), dew point 43°F (6°C)
- Altimeter: 30.26 inHg
- Observation at 9:53 am from KPDK, 5 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KPDK 041353Z 04004KT 5SM -RA BR FEW009 OVC031 07/06 A3026 RMK AO2 SLP251 P0001 T00720061
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
7 documents, released by the NTSB on September 7, 2023. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 11 pages | View Download |
| 2 | NTSB Record of Conversation with Pilot | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Maintenance Log Excerpts | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
| 4 | FAA Inspector Statement | PDF, 14 pages | View Download |
| 5 | Record of NTSB Conversations with FAA | PDF, 8 pages | View Download |
| 6 | Investigative Photographs | PDF, 5 pages | View Download |
| 7 | Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
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.