# NTSB ATL83FA182: Cessna 172P, N5324K, Gastonia, NC, May 9, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 9, 1983, 12:15 local (16:15 UTC)
- Place: Gastonia, NC
- Coordinates: 35.210941, -81.230056 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.2109&lon=-81.2301&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5913
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL83FA182
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5913/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL83FA182

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
- Nose gear collapsed, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - landing gear,nose gear assembly - overload (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT STALLED INTO THE GROUND JUST SHORT OF THE RWY AND COLLAPSED THE NOSE GEAR. THE PILOT WAS FLYING FROM THE RIGHT SEAT SO HIS FEMALE PASSENGER COULD USE THE MORE ADJUSTABLE LEFT SEAT. THE PILOT STATED THAT AT 70 KTS ON FINAL APPROACH FOR A LANDING THE ACFT STARTED TO SETTLE AND THE AIRSPEED TO DECAY. HE SAID HE WAS USING 30 DEGREES OF FLAPS BUT AFTER THE ACCIDENT THE FLAPS WERE UP WITH THE HANDLE DOWN. WHEN THE AIRSPEED STARTED TO DECAY HE ADVANCED THE THROTTLE. BEFORETHE ENGINE COULD RESPOND THE PILOT SAID SOMETHING CAUSED THE ACFT TO PITCH UP AND HE INADVERTANTLY PULLED THE THROTTLE OUT (RETARDED IT). THE STALL WARNING CAME ON. HE PUSHED THE THROTTLE BACK IN AND LOWERED THE NOSE AND THE ACFT HIT ON THE NOSE GEAR ABOUT 60 FT SHORT OF THE RWY. THE NOSE GEAR COLLAPSED AND THE ACFT SKIDDED ONTO AND VEERED OFF OF THE RWY.NEITHER OF THE 2 OCCUPANTS WERE USING THE AVAILABLE SHOULDER HARNESS AND BOTH SUSTAINED HEAD INJURIES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5324K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5324K-2013-04-09), registration cancelled 2013-04-09, S/N 17274065, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172P
- Registry model: [Cessna 172P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172p) (registry code 2072436) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17274065
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D2J 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Caro Wings Flight Service Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, April 15, 1983, 0 hours before
- Airport: 0A6, Gastonia, runway 3, 3,500 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 25; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 93 total, 4 in this make and model, 6 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 30° at 5 knots, gusting 10
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °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 19830509019689A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830509019689A), May 9, 1983: Cessna 172P, Gastonia, NC, Substantial damage. Pilot reports pitchup on short final. Stalled. Nose down impact short of runway. Flaps found up with handle down.

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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