# NTSB ATL83LA016: Cessna 172N, N739RJ, Indian Mound, IN, October 25, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 25, 1982, 15:36 local (20:36 UTC)
- Place: Indian Mound, IN
- Coordinates: 36.470184, -87.659706 (estimated)
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report October 25, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 71146
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL83LA016
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/71146/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL83LA016

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, climb - to cruise
  - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (cause)
  - carburetor heat - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

APPROXIMATELY 10 MINUTES AFTER DEPARTURE THE PILOT OF N739RJ REPORTED "ENGINE PROBLEMS." THE PILOT STATED THAT HE TRIED VARIOUS POWER SETTINGS AND FUEL SELECTIONS WITHOUT SUCCESS. HE ADVISED FORT CAMPBELL APPROACH CONTROL THAT HE WAS LANDING INTO TREES. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT CONDITIONS AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT WERE WITHIN A RANGE OF SERIOUS ICING AFTER 15 MINUTES CONTINUOUS ENGINE OPERATION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N739RJ](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N739RJ-2013-05-07), registration cancelled 2013-05-07, S/N 17270742, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172N
- Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17270742
- Airframe hours: 1169
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Michael F. Mullins
- Registered owner: Michael F. Mullins
- Departed: C, CLARKSVILLE, TN
- Destination: C, MEMPHIS, TN
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 23; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 665 total, 15 in this make and model, 59 as pilot in command, 65 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 350° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Temperature: 138 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19821025056319A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19821025056319A), Oct 25, 1982: Cessna 172N, Indian Mound, TN, Destroyed. Crash occurred during emergency landing due to loss of power from carburetor ice.

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.