# NTSB ATL82DA068: Cessna 172N, N44ER, Chamblee, GA, March 13, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: March 13, 1982, 14:08 local (19:08 UTC)
- Place: Chamblee, GA
- Coordinates: 33.900562, -84.299102 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.9006&lon=-84.2991&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 13, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 70182
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL82DA068
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/70182/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL82DA068

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, descent - normal
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - fuel supply - inattentive, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
  - maneuver - below, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - object - utility pole (contributing factor)
  - object - fence

## Analysis

THE ENGINE LOST POWER AS THE AIRCRAFT APPROACHED THE DESTINATION AIRPORT. THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO START THE ENGINE OR GLIDE TO THE AIRPORT. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO LAND ON A ROAD, THE PILOT WAS ABLE TO AVOID ELECTRICAL WIRES; HOWEVER, THE RIGHT WING STRUCK A POLE AND THE AIRCRAFT VEERED INTO A FENCE. THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS FOUND POSITIONED TO THE LEFT TANK AND THE LEFT TANK WAS EMPTY. ONLY 4 GALLONS OF FUEL WAS FOUND IN THE RIGHT TANK. THE FUEL CAPACITY IS 40 GALLONS OF WHICH 3 GALLONS ARE UNUSABLE. FUEL STARVATION OCCURRED 3 HOURS AFTER DEPARTURE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N44ER](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N44ER-2012-11-29), registration cancelled 2012-11-29, S/N 17269571, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172N
- Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 172-69571
- Airframe hours: 3719
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Landaero Enterprises
- Registered owner: Landaero Enterprises
- Departed: DAYTONA BEACH, FL
- Destination: ATLANTA, GA
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: Dekalb Peachtree

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 19; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 79 total, 7 in this make and model, 24 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 250° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,500 ft broken
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19820313006349A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820313006349A), Mar 13, 1982: Cessna 172N, Chamblee, GA, Substantial damage. Engine quit entering pattern. Had to land on a freeway. Hit pole and a fence. Fuel selector on empty tank.

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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