# NTSB ATL82FA164: Cessna 172P, N6545K, Asheville, NC, June 15, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: June 15, 1982, 13:35 local (17:35 UTC)
- Place: Asheville, NC
- Location: 35.6009° N, 82.5540° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Asheville, NC, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.6009&lon=-82.5540&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 3 serious
- Status: Completed, report June 15, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 69813
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL82FA164
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/69813/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL82FA164

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, climb
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - rising (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type operation, pilot in command(cfi) (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (contributing factor)
  - carburetor heat - improper use of, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - airspeed - improper, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - lowering of flaps - improper, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - lack of familiarity with aircraft, pilot in command(cfi) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE FLT REPORTEDLY INVOLVED MOUNTAIN FLYING TECHNIQUES. THE STUDENT OBSERVED THAT THE ACFT WAS NOT CLIMBING NORMALLY & THE CFI SUGGESTED THEY SLOW TO 70K. THE STUDENT STARTED A TURN TOWARD A WIDE VALLEY BUT THE CFI URGED HIM TO CONTINUE TOWARD THE MTNS WHICH TOOK THE ACFT INTO A NARROWER VALLEY & RISING TERRAIN. AFTER THE STUDENT REPORTED THAT THE ACFT WAS NOT CLIMBING AT ALL THE CFI TOOK CONTROL. HE WAS UNABLE TO RE-ESTABLISH A CLIMB & REPORTED THAT A TURN-AROUND WAS NOLONGER A SAFE MANEUVER. HE SLOWED THE ACFT & MUSHED INTO THE TREES. THE CFI REPORTED HE ADDED CARB HEAT WHEN THEY WERE NO LONGER ABLE TO CLIMB, BUT AFTER NOTICING AN RPM DROP IN 15 SECS HE SWITCHED CARB HEAT TO COLD. HE SLOWED THE ACFT TO 57-58K & EXTENDED 10 DEG OF FLAPS. THE C-172P POH INDICATES THAT THE BEST ANGLE OF CLIMB SPEED(VX) VARIES FROM 60-65K FROM SL TO 10,000 FT. IT SUGGESTS FLAPS UP TO OBTAIN BEST ANGLE PERFORMANCE. THE ACFT CAME TO REST INVERTED WHICH LEFT THE OCCUPANTS INVERTED & THEY REPORTEDLY HAD DIFFICULTY IN RELEASING THEIR SEAT BELT BUCKLES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6545K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6545K-1984-10-04), registration cancelled 1984-10-04, S/N 17274210 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172P
- Registry model: [Cessna 172P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172p) (registry code 2072436) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17274210
- Airframe hours: 485
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D2J 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Kilpatrick Aviation, Inc.
- Registered owner: Donald O. Thompson, Jr.
- Departed: 047, HENDERSONVILLE, NC
- Destination: 047, HENDERSONVILLE, NC

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 990 total, 300 in this make and model, 875 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Temperature: 176 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: AVL

## 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 19820615022579A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820615022579A), Jun 15, 1982: Cessna 172P, Asheville, NC, Destroyed. Encountered a downdraft while flying into a narrow canyon. Unable to avoid rising terrain. Crashed into trees.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.