# NTSB ATL83FLA01: Cessna 172M, N8977V, 9nm Nw Quitman, GA, October 31, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: October 31, 1982, 16:45 local (21:45 UTC)
- Place: 9nm Nw Quitman, GA
- Coordinates: 30.7798, -83.660903 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.7798&lon=-83.6609&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report October 31, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 69673
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL83FLA01
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/69673/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL83FLA01

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, maneuvering
  - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - fuel supply - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
- In flight collision with object, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - buzzing - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - light condition - sunglare (contributing factor)

## Analysis

WITNESSES OBSERVED THE ACFT A LITTLE ABOVE THE TREE TOPS PRIOR TO COLLIDING WITH A HIGH VOLTAGE TENSION WIRE. THE TWO PASSENGERS (AGES 10 & 11) WERE SEATED IN THE RIGHT FRONT SEAT, BOTH USING THE SAME SEAT BELT. THE SURVIVING PASSENGER STATED THEY HAD REQUESTED THE PLT TO FLY AN "UP & DOWN FLIGHT PATH" WHICH THE PLT HAD PERFORMED ON PREVIOUS OCCASIONS TO THRILL THE BOYS. HE ALSO STATED THAT THE ENG SOUNDED NORMAL DURING THE ALTITUDE CHANGES BUT MIGHT HAVE SPUTTERED THE LAST TIME THEY WERE GOING UP. THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS POSITION TO THE RIGHT TANK. THE RIGHT FUEL TANK WAS NOT RUPTURED. THE RIGHT WING SEPARATED FROM THE FUSELAGE AT THE IWNG ROOT & THERE WAS NO FIRE DAMAGE OF THE WING ROOT NOTED ALTHOUGH THE RIGHT WING ROOT WAS FOUND APPROXIMATELY 8 FT FROM THE FIRE RIDDEN CABIN AREA. THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF FUELSPILLAGE IN THE IMMEDIATE AREA OF THE RIGHT WING. THE MECHANIC WHO LOADED THE RIGHT WING ON A TRUCK BED OBSERVED APPROXIMATELY 1 PINT OF FUEL SPILL OUT OF THE RIGHT WING ROOT. THE ACFT'S FLT PATH WAS FACING THE SUN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8977V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8977V-2013-05-17), registration cancelled 2013-05-17, S/N 17264333, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172M
- Registry model: [Cessna 172M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172m) (registry code 2072418) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17264333
- Airframe hours: 1736
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: Both
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Helen K. Long
- Registered owner: Helen K. Long
- Departed: QUITMAN, GA
- Destination: THOMASVILLE, GA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 67; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 4,091 total, 107 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 169 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: VLD, 20 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 19821031055879A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19821031055879A), Oct 31, 1982: Cessna 172M, Quitman, GA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Struck powerline on low altitude flight. Possible fuel exhaustion and wire strike attempting to land in a field.

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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