# NTSB ATL83FA237: Lockheed L-18, N333FB, Millhaven, GA, June 23, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: June 23, 1983, 01:57 local (05:57 UTC)
- Place: Millhaven, GA
- Coordinates: 32.749301, -81.630409 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.7493&lon=-81.6304&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5925
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL83FA237
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5925/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL83FA237

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - downwind
  - altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH TREES DURING AN ATTEMPTED OFF ARPT LANDING AT NIGHT FOR MARIJUANA UNLOADING. THE ACFT WAS BEING FOLLOWED BY A U.S CUSTOMS HELICOPTER, THE OCCUPANTS OF THIS HELICOPTER SAID THE ACFT HAD MADE ONE MISSED APPROACH AND DURING THE GO-AROUND ON THE DOWNWIND LEG THE ACFT DESCENDED UNTIL IT HIT THE TREES. THERE WAS A LAYER OF'SCUD'AT ABOUT 100-200 FT AGL. VISIBILITY UNDER THE LOW LYING INTERMITTANT CLOUD LAYER WAS ABOUT 2 MILES. AFTER THE CRASH THE HELICOPTER LANDED ABOUT 30 YARDS AWAY BUT APPROACH ON FOOT WAS NOT POSSIBLE DUE TO HEAT FROM THE BURNING WRECKAGE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N333FB](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N333FB-2012-10-03), registration cancelled 2012-10-03, S/N 2467, built 1957 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: LOCKHEED L-18
- Registry model: [Lockheed 18](https://openairdocs.org/model/lockheed-18) (registry code 5261602) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Wright C9HD series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/wright-c9hd-series) (registry code 67028, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 2467
- Engines: WRIGHT R-1820-76D 1425 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Other work use, Part 91 subpart F
- Registered owner: Falcon Leasing Corporation
- Airport: NONE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 60; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, invalid medical for flight; toxicology performed

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 40° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 7,500 ft broken
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SAV, 55 nm away

## 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 19830623026449A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830623026449A), Jun 23, 1983: Lkheed 18LKHEED, Millhaven, GA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Struck trees attempting a night landing on a lighted improvised strip. Illegal marijuana cargo. Revoked license.

## Other investigations on N333FB (1)

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.

- [NTSB FTW77FA061](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW77FA061), Jun 10, 1977: Lockheed L-18 (N333FB), Austin, TX, substantial damage

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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