# NTSB ATL83LA255: Cessna 172P, N52471, Charleston, SC, July 4, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 4, 1983, 13:00 local (17:00 UTC)
- Place: Charleston, SC
- Location: 32.7766° N, 79.9309° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Charleston, SC, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.7766&lon=-79.9309&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6113
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL83LA255
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6113/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL83LA255

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - flight controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (cause)
  - throttle/power control - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (cause)
  - low pass - performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/mush - uncontrolled, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- Nose over, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE ACFT NOSED OVER DURING A FORCED LANDING AFTER A STALL DURING A LOW PASS. THE PLT SAID HE WAS FLYING AROUND AN ISLANDAT 500 FT AGL TAKING PICTURES WHEN THE ACFT BEGAN TO SETTLE. HE ADDED POWER AND APPLIED ELEVATOR BACK PRESSURE. THEN CARBURETOR HEAT WAS APPLIED AND FLAPS ADDED FIRST 10 DEGREES, THEN 20 DEGREES AND FINALLY 30 DEGREES BUT THE ACFT CONTINUED TO SETTLE. THE PLT ELECTED TO LAND ON THE BEACH AND DURING ROLL THE NOSE GEAR DUG IN AND THE ACFTNOSED OVER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N52471](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N52471-2013-07-09), registration cancelled 2013-07-09, S/N 17274534, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172P
- Registry model: [Cessna 172P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172p) (registry code 2072436) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17274534
- Airframe hours: 535
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-02J 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Orr Aviation, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 4, 1983
- Departed: CHS, CHARLESTON, SC
- Destination: CRE, MYRTLE BEACH, SC
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 98 total, 41 in this make and model, 71 as pilot in command, 44 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 330° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Temperature: 93 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CHS, 25 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 19830704037179A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830704037179A), Jul 4, 1983: Cessna 172P, Charleston, SC, Substantial damage. Pilot claims aircraft caught in downdraft over beach and he was forced down on beach causing aircraft to invert.

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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