# NTSB ATL83FA150: Cessna 172, N8253U, Spartanburg, SC, April 5, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: April 4, 1983, 21:50 local (Apr 5, 1983, 02:50 UTC)
- Place: Spartanburg, SC
- Coordinates: 34.929462, -82.009323 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.9295&lon=-82.0093&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5902
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL83FA150
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5902/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL83FA150

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, go-around (vfr)
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, approach
- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO THE PLT'S SON, WHO WAS A PASSENGER, THE PLT HAD MADE A FINAL APPROACH LINEUP ON THE WRONG SET OF LIGHTS. REALIZING THE MISTAKE, THE PLT INITIATED A GO-AROUND AT APRX 200 FT AGL. HOWEVER, THE ENG LOST POWER. DURING AN EMERGENCY LANDING AT NIGHT, THE PLT SAW POWER LINES & PULLED THE NOSE UP TO AVOID A COLLISION, BUT WAS TOO LATE. THE STALL WARNING HORN SOUNDED & THE ACFT CRASHED IN A NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE. A POWER LINE WAS FOUND WRAPPED AROUND THE FUSELAGE & TAIL SECTION. APRX 7 GAL OF FUEL WAS REMAINING. AN EXAM OF THE ACFT & SUBSYSTEMS FAILED TO DISCLOSE ANY PREIMPACT FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION. THE ACFT HAD BEEN RETROFITTED WITH FRONT SEAT SHOULDER RESTRAINT SYSTEMS. DESPITE THE EXTENSIVE DAMAGE OF THE AFCT, WHICH INCLUDED REARWARD DISPLACEMENT OF THE ENG, THE PLT RECEIVED ONLY FACIAL INJURIES & THE PASSENGERS RECEIVED ONLY MINOR TO NO INJURIES. THE TEMP & DEW POINT WERE 50 & 38 DEG. ICING PROBABILITY CHARTS INDICATED CARB ICING WAS POSSIBLE, BUT THE POSITON OF CARB HEAT ON FINAL, NOT VERIFIED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8253U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8253U-2013-02-27), registration cancelled 2013-02-27, S/N 17252153, built 1964 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- Registry model: [Cessna 172F](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172f) (registry code 2072414) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17252153
- Airframe hours: 1944
- Engines: LYCOMING O-300-D 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Robert C. Schaeffer
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 1, 1983, 4 hours before
- Departed: OSU, COLUMBUS, OH
- Airport: Spartanburg Downtown, runway 22, 5,203 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, unknown; seat: left; flight hours: 99 total, 8 in this make and model, 55 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 50 °F, dew point 37 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: GSP

## 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 19830404013099A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830404013099A), Apr 4, 1983: Cessna 172F, Spartanburg, SC, Substantial damage. Struck a utility wire. Stalled and crashed on a low altitude go around. Engine had stopped on impact with wire.

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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