# NTSB ATL83LA309: Cessna 172N, N738NV, Birmingham, AL, August 3, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 2, 1983, 19:50 local (Aug 3, 1983, 00:50 UTC)
- Place: Birmingham, AL
- Coordinates: 33.550819, -86.750968 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.5508&lon=-86.7510&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6152
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL83LA309
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6152/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL83LA309

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, descent - normal
  - ignition system,spark plug - other (cause)
  - powerplant controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - light condition - dusk (contributing factor)
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE INSTRUCTOR (CFI) REPORTED THE ENG BEGAN MISSING WHEN POWER WAS APPLIED AFTER PRACTICING STALLS. A DECISION WAS MADE TO RETURN TO THE ARPT. CARBURETOR HEAT WAS APPLIED & THE THROTTLE WAS RETARDED TO DESCEND. THE MIXTURE WAS IN FULL RICH.AFTER A COUPLE OF MINUTES, THE ENG BEGAN RUNNING ROUGH & LOSING POWER. CARBURETOR HEAT & THE THROTTLE WERE ADJUSTED IN AN UNSUCCESSFUL ATTEMPT TO RESTORE POWER. A DECISION WAS MADE TO LAND ON AN UNOPENED HIGHWAY. DURING FINAL APCH, THE ACFT STRUCK A POWER LINE. SUBSEQUENTLY, IT IMPACTED THE GROUND NOSE 1ST. APRX 10 GAL OF FUEL WAS REMAINING. ALL BUT 1 SPARK PLUG WAS FOUND OILY & SOOTY. THE ENG WAS STARTED & RAN SMOOTHLY TO 1200 RPM. IT HAD 50 HRS OF OPERATION SINCE OVERHAUL. THE PLT HANDBOOK STATED CRUISE SHOULD BE AT 65 TO 75% POWER FOR 50 HRS OR UNTIL OIL CONSUMPTION HAS BEEN STOPPED. A CHAMPION SPARK PLUG PUBLICATION STATED WET, OILY PLUGS MAY BE CAUSED BY AN ENG STILL IN A BREAK-IN PERIOD.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N738NV](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N738NV-2026-01-03), registration cancelled 2026-01-03, S/N 17270116 (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: 17270116
- Airframe hours: 1600
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Birmingham Flying Club
- Registered owner: W. Charles Harmon
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 18, 1982, 344 hours before
- Departed: BHM, BIRMINGHAM, AL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 24; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 976 total, 369 in this make and model, 855 as pilot in command, 237 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 180° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 68 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: BHM, 7 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 19830802041349A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830802041349A), Aug 2, 1983: Cessna 172N, Birmingham, AL, Substantial damage. Rough engine during stall practice. Hit wires landing on a road. Failed to lean mixture on newly overhauled engine.

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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