# NTSB ATL82DA114: Cessna 172E, N3971S, Society Hill, SC, April 25, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: April 25, 1982, 16:25 local (20:25 UTC)
- Place: Society Hill, SC
- Location: 34.5099° N, 79.8535° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Society Hill, SC, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.5099&lon=-79.8535&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 25, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 72636
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL82DA114
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/72636/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL82DA114

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
- Gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown
  - landing gear - overload

## Analysis

THE ENGINE QUIT AT 4000 FEET AND THE PILOT ELECTED TO LAND IN TREES RATHER THAN A ROAD WITH TRAFFIC. THE AIRCRAFT ENDED UP ON SMALL GRAVEL ROAD WITH THE GEAR COLLAPSED. NO FUEL WAS FOUND IN THE AIRCRAFT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N3971S (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172E
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17251171
- Airframe hours: 1560
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300-D 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: William Prince
- Registered owner: William Prince
- Departed: MARTINSVILLE, VA
- Destination: FLORENCE, SC

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 1,390 total, 1,500 in this make and model, 62 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Temperature: 183 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 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 19820425011439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820425011439A), Apr 25, 1982: Cessna 172E, Society Hill, SC, Substantial damage. Engine quit en route. Struck trees while landing on old railroad bed. Engine operates normal. No fuel on board.

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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