# NTSB ATL83FA290: Cessna TR 182, N737JA, Seneca Rocks, WV, July 25, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 24, 1983, 20:20 local (Jul 25, 1983, 00:20 UTC)
- Place: Seneca Rocks, WV
- Coordinates: 38.830562, -79.370445 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.8306&lon=-79.3704&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5938
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL83FA290
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5938/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL83FA290

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, descent - normal
  - fuel system,carburetor - ice (contributing factor)
  - carburetor heat - not used, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering

## Analysis

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH TREES AND THE GROUND FOLLOWING A REPORTED LOSS OF POWER. THE ACFT HAD COMPLETED A DESCENT OF 2000-3000 FT TO OBSERVE ROCK FORMATIONS AND HAD COMMENCED A CLIMB WHEN POWER LOSS OCCURRED. THE PLT SAID THE MIXTURE WASLEFT IN LEAN POSITION AND CARBURETOR HEAT WAS NOT APPLIED DURING THE DESCENT. WHEN THE POWER WAS ADVANCED TO 25 INCHES MP THE POWER DECREASED TO 22 INCHES AFTER ABOUT 45 SECONDS WITHOUT PLT ACTION. COMPLETE POWER WAS NEVER LOST BUT THE RISING TERRAIN TRAPPED THE ACFT. THE ENGINE RAN NORMALLY IN A POST ACCIDENT CHECK. AT THE TEMPERATURE/DEW POINT COMBINATION OF 71/58 DEG F THE PROBABILITY OF SERIOUS ICING AT GLIDE POWER EXISTED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N737JA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N737JA-2013-05-07), registration cancelled 2013-05-07, S/N R18200834, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA TR 182
- Registry model: [Cessna TR182](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-tr182) (registry code 2072735) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18200834
- Airframe hours: 678
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-L3C5D 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Joel F. Horn
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 5, 1983, 0 hours before
- Departed: EKN, ELKINS, WV
- Destination: GAI, GAITHERSBURG, MD

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 320 as pilot in command, 40 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 340° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 63 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: EKN, 90 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 19830724038759A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830724038759A), Jul 24, 1983: Cessna TR182, Seneca Rocks, WV, Substantial damage. Crash occurred during emergency landing after descent and short period at reduced power setting.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.
