# NTSB ATL83FA215: Cessna 172N, N6429F, Franklin, TN, June 5, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: June 5, 1983, 13:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: Franklin, TN
- Coordinates: 35.87918, -86.950836 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.8792&lon=-86.9508&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5920
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL83FA215
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5920/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL83FA215

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, cruise
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE PLT STATED THAT APRX 45 MIN AFTER TAKEOFF, HE SMELLED AN ODOR LIKE SOMETHING BURNING,THEN NOTED A LOSS OF POWER. HE STATED THAT THE ENG DID NOT QUIT, BUT HAD LOST POWER TO ABOUT THE 1000 RPM RANGE. ALSO, HE STATED THAT THE OIL PRESSURE DROPPED TO ABOUT 10 PSI. ADDITIONALLY, HE REPORTED THAT HE 'JOCKEYED' THE THROTTLE & IMMEDIATELY APPLIED CARBURETOR HEAT, BUT NEITHER OF THESE HAD ANY EFFECT. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT ENCOUNTERED A DITCH DURING A FORCED LANDING & NOSED OVER. A TEARDOWN OF THE ENG REVEALED THAT THE LIFTERS FOR THE #3 & #4 INTAKE VALVES WERE CHIPPED, SPALLED & WORN. ALSO, THE RESPECTIVE CAM LOBES WERE ROUNDED & WORN. THE ENG WAS REASSEMBLE WITH THE ORIGINAL PARTS & OPERATED NORMALLY. THE TEMP & DEW POINT WERE 76 & 64 DEG, RESPECTIVELY. ACCORDING TO ICING PROBABILITY CURVES, SERIOUS ICING COULD OCCUR AT GLIDE POWER & VISIBLE ICING COULD OCCUR AT RATED POWER. THE OIL PUMP, OIL FILTER & OIL SENSORS (TEMP & PRESSURE) CHECKED NORMAL. NO MECHANICAL REASON WAS FOUND FOR THE ENG TO LOSE POWER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N6429F (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172N
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17273222
- Airframe hours: 1017
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Smyrna Aviation
- Registered owner: Todd Lines Ltd.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Unknown, April 23, 1983, 53 hours before
- Departed: MQY, SMYRNA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 87 total, 15 in this make and model, 43 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19830605022789A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830605022789A), Jun 5, 1983: Cessna 172N, Franklin, TN, Destroyed. Pilot report power loss, burning oil and low oil pressure caused landing. No cause found. Possible carburetor ice.

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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