# Accident 19740830037639A: Cessna 172M, Saltville, VA, August 30, 1974

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: August 30, 1974, 22:30 local time
- Place: Saltville, VA
- Damage: Destroyed
- Phase of flight: Normal Cruise
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 36.8759° N, 81.7629° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Saltville, VA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.8759&lon=-81.7629&mi=10
- Aircraft: N5142R, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5142R-2004-06-02) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Cessna 172M (registry code 2072418, https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172m) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming 0-320 series (registry code 41508, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172M
- People aboard: 3
- Fatal injuries: 3
- Pilot flight hours: 40 total
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB MIA75AM018](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA75AM018) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/19740830037639A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

(-23) THE AIRPLANE WAS DESTROYED WHEN IT COLLIDED WITH BEARTOWN MOUNTAIN, NEAR SALTVILLE, VIRGINIA. NIGHT INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS PREVAILED FOR THE PERSONAL FLIGHT THAT ORIGINATED AT ATHENS/BEN EPPS AIRPORT (AHN), ATHENS, GEORGIA, DESTINED FOR THE YEAGER AIRPORT (CRW), CHARLESTON, WEST VIRGINIA. NO FLIGHT PLAN WAS FILED FOR THE FLIGHT. THE AIRPLANE WAS REPORTED MISSING ON OR ABOUT SEPTEMBER 2, 1974. IN DECEMBER 1975, HUNTERS DISCOVERED THE AIRPLANE AND ITS OCCUPANTS AND A MEMORIAL SERVICE WAS HELD FOR THE VICTIMS; HOWEVER, THE FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION (FAA) AND THE SAFETY BOARD WERE NOT ADVISED OF THE DISCOVERY. ON OCTOBER 10, 2006, A HIKER ADVISED THE SAFETY BOARD OF THE LOCATION OF THE WRECKAGE. THE PILOT HELD A PRIVATE PILOT CERTIFICATE WITH A RATING FOR AIRPLANE SINGLE ENGINE LAND. HIS CERTIFICATE WAS ISSUED 1 WEEK PRIORT TO THE ACCIDENT ON AUGUST 23, 1974. HE DID NOT POSSESS AN INSTRUMENT RATING.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB MIA75AM018](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA75AM018), Aug 30, 1974: Cessna 172M (N5142R), Missing Aircraft, destroyed, 3 fatal

## Other reports on N5142R (1)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Accident 19740904044629A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19740904044629A), Sep 4, 1974: Cessna 172D (N5142R), VA, Destroyed, 2 fatal

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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