# NTSB ATL82FLT05: Varga 2180, N5600M, Arlington, TN, July 31, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: July 31, 1982, 18:00 local (23:00 UTC)
- Place: Arlington, TN
- Coordinates: 35.279457, -89.659194 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.2795&lon=-89.6592&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 31, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 69807
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL82FLT05
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/69807/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL82FLT05

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE PILOT MADE A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING DURING A CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT DUE TO LOW FUEL. AFTER DECIDING HE HAD ENOUGH FUEL TO CONTINUE, THE PILOT ELECTED TO TAKEOFF. DURING THE INITIAL CLIMB THE ENGINE QUIT. AN EMERGENCY LANDING WAS MADE IN A COTTON FIELD.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5600M](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5600M), registered now, S/N VAC-183-82, built 1982 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: VARGA 2180
- Registry model: [Varga 2180](https://openairdocs.org/model/varga-2180) (registry code 9350104) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: VAC 183-82
- Airframe hours: 69
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Curtis R. Merkel
- Registered owner: Curtis R. Merkel
- Departed: ONEIDA, TN
- Destination: FLV, FT. LEAVENWORTH, KS
- Airport: Wilder'S Strip, runway 18, 3,000 × 0 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 212 total, 29 in this make and model, 29 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Temperature: 192 °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 19820731033819A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820731033819A), Jul 31, 1982: Varga 2180VARGA, Arlington, TN, Substantial damage. Low on fuel, landed on Private strip. Decided enough fuel to continue. Ran out of fuel on climbout. Crash landed.

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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