# NTSB ATL82FLA03: Cessna 172M, N13687, Thomasville, GA, June 7, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: June 7, 1982, 17:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: Thomasville, GA
- Coordinates: 31.069236, -83.619132 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.0692&lon=-83.6191&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report June 7, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 72812
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL82FLA03
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/72812/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL82FLA03

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - light condition - sunglare
  - low pass - performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - water,glassy (contributing factor)
  - clearance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - seat belt - not used, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - seat belt - not used, passenger (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT WAS BEING OPERATED ON A BUSINESS FLIGHT FOR THE PURPOSE OF SURVEYING FARM CROPS IN THE AREA. AT ABOUT 1700 EDT, IT CRASHED INTO A 20 ACRE FARM LAKE WHILE ON A WESTERLY HEADING. THE WEATHER WAS REPORTED AS CLEAR, VISIBILITY 6 TO 7 MILES WITH HAZE, TEMPERATURE 90 DEGREES, AND THE WIND WAS CALM. REPORTEDLY, THE LAKE HAD A GLASSY SURFACE. THERE WERE 3 WITNESSES THAT WERE FISHING FROM A BOAT NEAR THE CENTER OF THE LAKE. THEY REPORTED THAT THE AIRCRAFT PASSED ALONG THE SOUTH SIDE OF THE LAKE ON AN EASTERLY HEADING, CIRCLED AND DESCENDED NEAR THE SOUTHEAST CORNER OF THE LAKE, THEN CAME OUT OF THE TURN AND HEADED TOWARD THEIR BOAT. WITNESSES ESTIMATED THAT THE AIRCRAFT FLEW 10 TO 30 FEET OVER THE BOAT, THEN STRUCK THE WATER WITH NO CHANGE IN ENGINE SOUND. DIVERS FOUND NO BODIES IN THE COCKPIT, THE SEAT BELT AND SHOULDER HARNESS WERE FOUND HANGING LOOSE WITH NO DAMAGE AND NO EVIDENCE OF BEING LATCHED DURING IMPACT. AN EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE AND AIRCRAFT REVEALED NO PREIMPACT FAILURES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N13687](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N13687-1991-06-04), registration cancelled 1991-06-04, S/N 17262944 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172M
- Registry model: [Cessna 172M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172m) (registry code 2072418) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17262944
- Airframe hours: 546
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E20 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Maxwell Ford Tractor Co.
- Registered owner: Maxwell Ford Tractor Co.
- Departed: VALDOSTA, GA
- Destination: VALDOSTA, GA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 22; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 1,500 total, 113 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Temperature: 194 °F

## 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 19820607024479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820607024479A), Jun 7, 1982: Cessna 172M, Thomasville, GA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Flew into glassy surface of a lake while surveying farm land. Failed to use seat belts or shoulder harness.

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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