# NTSB ATL81FA031: Cessna 172, N19715, Petersburg, VA, December 28, 1980

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: December 28, 1980
- Place: Petersburg, VA · PETERSBURG, VA
- Location: 37.2047° N, 77.3924° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Petersburg, VA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.2047&lon=-77.3924&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report May 5, 1981
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 127728
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL81FA031
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL81FA031

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3660  80/12/28 NR.PETERSBURG,VA      CESSNA 172          CR-  1  0  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             COMMERCIAL, FL.INSTR.,
        TIME - 2010                    N19715              PX-  1  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  AGE 53, 1557 TOTAL HOURS,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            965 IN TYPE, INSTRUMENT
                                                                                                   RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - PETERSBURG MUNI
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION         LAST ENROUTE STOP
          ORLANDO,FL                  BALTIMORE,MD                 RICHMOND,VA
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLIDED WITH: TREES                                     LANDING: FINAL APPROACH
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - IMPROPER IN-FLIGHT DECISIONS OR PLANNING
           PILOT IN COMMAND - IMPROPER IFR OPERATION
        FACTOR(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PREPARATION AND/OR PLANNING
           WEATHER - LOW CEILING
           WEATHER - FOG
        WEATHER BRIEFING - BRIEFING RECEIVED-METHOD UNKNOWN
        WEATHER FORECAST - FORECAST SUBSTANTIALLY CORRECT
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - PRECAUTIONARY LANDING ON AIRPORT
                                  LOW ON FUEL
        SKY CONDITION                                            CEILING AT ACCIDENT SITE
          OVERCAST                                                  300
        VISIBILITY AT ACCIDENT SITE                              PRECIPITATION AT ACCIDENT SITE
          2 MILES OR LESS                                          NONE
        OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION AT ACCIDENT SITE                  TEMPERATURE-F
          FOG                                                       39
        WIND DIRECTION-DEGREES                                   WIND VELOCITY-KNOTS
           10                                                       10
        TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS                               TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          BELOW MINIMUMS                                           IFR
        REMARKS- PLT RPRTD STRONG HEADWIND,DIVERTED DUE FUEL SUPPLY.DSCNDD BLO MDA DRG NDB APCH.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N19715](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N19715-2009-07-09), registration cancelled 2009-07-09, S/N 17260694, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- Registry model: [Cessna 172L](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172l) (registry code 2072432) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Airport: Petersburg Muni

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19801228078339A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19801228078339A), Dec 28, 1980: Cessna 172L, Petersburg, VA, Destroyed. Pilot encountered headwinds on IFR flight and attempted adf approach when weather was below minimums.

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.

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