# NTSB ATL83LA164: Cessna 172, N7617T, Clinton, MD, April 20, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 20, 1983, 09:30 local (14:30 UTC)
- Place: Clinton, MD
- Coordinates: 38.760295, -76.889282 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.7603&lon=-76.8893&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6052
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL83LA164
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6052/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL83LA164

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - high wind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

WITNESSES OBSERVED THAT THE ACFT TOOK OFF FROM RWY 31, BEGAN A LEFT TURN, THEN DESCEND INTO THE TREES. ONE WITNESS, A LINEBOY, STATED THAT HE HEARD THE ENGINE RUNNING UNTIL THE ACFT CONTACTED THE TREES. THE PLT RECEIVED A HEAD INJURY AND WAS UNABLE TO RECALL DETAILS OF THE OCCURRENCE. IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE CRASH, HE REPORTEDLY TOLD RESCUE PERSONNEL THAT HE HAD 'HIT A DOWNDRAFT.' ABOUT 6 MI FROM THE ACCIDENT SITE, THE 0955 EST ANDREWS AFB WX OBSERVATION REPORTED WINDS FROM 280 AT 20 GUSTING 26 KTS AND NOTED IN THE REMARKS THAT IT HAD BEEN 330 AT 30 KTS. AT 1019 EST, THE WIND WAS FROM 330 AT 29 KTS. THERE WAS NO RECORD OF THE PLT RECEIVING A WX BRIEFING WHILE PREPARING FOR THE FLT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7617T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7617T-1989-11-28), registration cancelled 1989-11-28, S/N 47217 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- Registry model: [Cessna 172A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172a) (registry code 2072404) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 47217
- Airframe hours: 4012
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Richard N. Bailey
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 25, 1983, 28 hours before
- Destination: DAN, DANVILLE, VA
- Airport: W 32, Hyde Field, runway 31, 1,930 × 30 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 590 total, 302 in this make and model, 548 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 280° at 20 knots, gusting 26
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 43 °F, dew point 18 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: ADW, 6 nm away

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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