# NTSB ATL83FA378: Cessna 172, N8360B, Benson, NC, September 25, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 25, 1983, 08:58 local (12:58 UTC)
- Place: Benson, NC
- Coordinates: 35.370162, -78.540504 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.3702&lon=-78.5405&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5951
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL83FA378
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5951/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL83FA378

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

APRX 3 MI SOUTH OF THE CRASH SITE, A WITNESS SAW THE ACFT FLYING NORTHBOUND ALONG A RAILROAD TRACK. HE REPORTED THAT THE ACFT WAS FLYING BELOW TREE TOP LEVEL & THE ENG WAS RUNNING SMOOTHLY. A SHORT TIME LATER, ANOTHER WITNESS APRX 1 1/2 MI FURTHER NORTH, ALSO SAW THE ACFT HEADING NORTH & REPORTED ITS ALT WAS SLIGHTLY ABOVE THE LEVEL OF THE TREES. THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED WHEN THE ACFT STRUCK A POWER LINE THAT CROSSED THE RAILROAD TRACK AT ABOUT 50 FT AGL. AFTER IMPACT, THE ACFT CAME TO REST NEXT TO THE TRACKS IN AN INVERTED ATTITUDE. NO DISCREPANCIES WERE FOUND THAT WOULD HAVE RESULT IN A PREIMPACT LOSS OF POWER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8360B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8360B-1984-03-27), registration cancelled 1984-03-27, S/N 36160 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- Registry model: [Cessna 172](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172) (registry code 2072402) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 36+60
- Airframe hours: 2872
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300-A 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: John C. Bryan
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 15, 1983, 2 hours before
- Departed: W27, SMITHFIELD, NC

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 645 total, 642 in this make and model, 611 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 30° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 50 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: RDU, 28 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 19830925050789A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830925050789A), Sep 25, 1983: Cessna 172, Benson, NC, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Aircraft struck powerlines and crashed during low level operation.

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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