# NTSB ATL82FA261: Cessna 170B, N3247A, Lawrenceville, GA, September 2, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 1, 1982, 20:20 local (Sep 2, 1982, 00:20 UTC)
- Place: Lawrenceville, GA
- Location: 33.9529° N, 83.9922° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Lawrenceville, GA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.9529&lon=-83.9922&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report September 1, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 71393
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL82FA261
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/71393/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL82FA261

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, descent - normal
  - weather condition - haze/smoke (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - thunderstorm (contributing factor)
  - flight into known adverse weather - continued, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, approach
  - airport facilities,runway edge lights - not operating (contributing factor)
  - aircraft handling - improper, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

DURING THE RETURN FLT TO STONE MOUNTAIN ARPT, THE PLT CONTACTED APPROACH CONTROL & REQUESTED VECTORS TO THE GWINNETT COUNTY ARPT AT LAWRENCEVILLE, GA. THE PLT REPORTED THAT HE HAD BEEN GOING AROUND THUNDERSTORMS & IT WAS TURNING DARK. SEVERAL MINUTES LATER THE PLT ASKED HOW TO TURN ON THE RWY LIGHTS & STATED HE HAD THE ROTATING BEACON IN SIGHT. A CFI AT THE ARPT OBSERVED THE PLANE FLY OVER THE ARPT AT 300 TO 400 FT GENERALLY ALIGNED WITH RWY 7. THE RWY LIGHTS WERE OUT DUE TO THE MAIN CIRCUIT BREAKER BEING TRIPPED BY LIGHTNING. THE ACFT WAS THEN OBSERVED ENTERING A WINGS LEVEL, STEEP DESCENT WHICH CONTINUED UNTIL THE ACFT WAS OBSCURED FROM VIEW BY RAIN & FOG. THE WRECKAGE WAS LOCATED ABOUT 1/4 MI EAST OF THE DEPARTURE END OF RWY 7. THE FLAP ACTUATOR WAS IN THE MECHANICAL POSITION CORRESPONDING TO A 40 DEG FLAP SETTING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3247A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3247A-1983-05-12), registration cancelled 1983-05-12, S/N 25891, built 1953 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 170B
- Registry model: [Cessna 170B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-170b) (registry code 2072306) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 25891
- Airframe hours: 930
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300-A 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Franklin A. Buchanan Jr.
- Registered owner: Franklin A. Buchanan Jr.
- Departed: 00A, STONE MOUNTAIN, GA
- Destination: 00A, STONE MOUNTAIN, GA
- Airport: 17A, Gwinett County, runway 7, 4,000 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 1,047 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 180° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 172 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PDK, 20 nm away

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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