# NTSB ATL83LA345: Cessna 172E, N5331T, Middlebourne, WV, August 30, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 30, 1983, 12:50 local (16:50 UTC)
- Place: Middlebourne, WV
- Coordinates: 39.483167, -80.916273 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.4832&lon=-80.9163&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6183
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL83LA345
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6183/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL83LA345

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, cruise - normal
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT REPORTED THAT EN ROUTE, THE ENG BEGAN TO RUN ROUGH. REPORTEDLY, HE APPLIED CARBURETOR HEAT, FULL RICH MIXTURE & FULL THROTTLE, BUT WAS UNABLE TO SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASE THE POWER. HE CIRCLED FOR A SHORT TIME, THEN MADE AN EMERGENCY LANDING. AN EXAM OF THE ENG REVEALED SOOTED SPARK PLUGS & OIL FOULING OF THE #2 & #4 LOWER SPARK PLUGS. NO APPARENT MECHANICAL FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS VERIFIED. THE TEMP & DEW POINT WERE 87 & 67 DEG, RESPECTIVELY. DAMAGE HAD OCCURRED DURING THE LANDING ROLL WHEN THE ACFT ENCOUNTERED A GULLEY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5331T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5331T-1983-12-08), registration cancelled 1983-12-08, S/N 17251231 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172E
- Registry model: [Cessna 172E](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172e) (registry code 2072412) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17251231
- Airframe hours: 1683
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300-D 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Slink Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, April 28, 1983, 20 hours before
- Departed: 5G8, JEANETTE, PA
- Destination: HTS, HUNTINGTON, WV
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 191 total, 126 in this make and model, 157 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 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 19830830045139A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830830045139A), Aug 30, 1983: Cessna 172E, Middlebourne, WV, Substantial damage. Crash occurred during emergency landing when engine lost power on cross country flight.

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.