# NTSB ATL83FA238: Cessna 172K, N78160, Millhaven, GA, June 23, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: June 23, 1983, 03:40 local (07:40 UTC)
- Place: Millhaven, GA
- Coordinates: 32.750068, -81.629333 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.7501&lon=-81.6293&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5926
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL83FA238
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5926/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL83FA238

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, maneuvering
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - impairment(alcohol), pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - low pass - performed, pilot in command
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - landing lights - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual/aural perception, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - pull-up - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PLT & HIS SON TOOK OFF AT NIGHT TO PARTICIPATE IN THE SEARCH FOR A DOWNED ACFT. SUBSEQUENTLY, THEY FOUND THE BURNING WRECKAGE OF THE DOWNED PLANE. THEY SAW PEOPLE MOVING AROUND THE ACCIDENT SCENE & MADE A PASS OVER IT BY DIVING WITH THE LANDING LIGHT ON. DURING THE DIVE, LIGHT FROM THE LANDING LIGHT WAS REFLECTED BACK INTO THEIR EYES BY FOG. THE PLT THEN CLIMBED TO AN ALT WHERE HE COULD COMMUNICATE WITH THE UNICOM AT ALLENDALE, GA. ACCORDING TO THE PLT'S SON, THEY THEN MADE A SECOND PASS OVER THE DOWNED ACFT. DURING THE SECOND PASS, THE ACFT STRUCK TREES & CRASHED. THE PLT'S SON STATED THAT DURING THE SECOND PASS, HE WAS UNABLE TO SEE ANYTHING WHEN THE LIGHT WAS AGAIN REFLECTING BACK. HE ALSO SAID HE WAS NOT AWARE THAT THEY WERE GETTING SO LOW. A TOXICOLOGICAL CHECK OF THE PLT'S BLOOD REVEALED AN ALCOHOL LEVEL OF 0.11%.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N78160](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N78160-1989-03-14), registration cancelled 1989-03-14, S/N 17257506 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172K
- Registry model: [Cessna 172K](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172k) (registry code 2072430) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17257506
- Airframe hours: 6355
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Registered owner: Browning Aviation Service Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, May 2, 1983, 100 hours before
- Departed: 88J, ALLENDALE, SC

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; toxicology performed; flight hours: 23,000 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 50° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,800 ft unknown
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SAV, 60 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 19830623026469A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830623026469A), Jun 23, 1983: Cessna 172K, Millhaven, GA, Substantial damage. Search aircraft struck trees while diving over burning accident aircraft at dark night and ground fog in area.

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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