# NTSB ATL84FA033: Cessna 172F, N5236F, Brunswick, GA, October 31, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: October 30, 1983, 19:30 local (Oct 31, 1983, 00:30 UTC)
- Place: Brunswick, GA
- Coordinates: 31.149972, -81.480979 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.1500&lon=-81.4810&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6231
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL84FA033
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6231/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL84FA033

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, climb - to cruise
  - weather condition - clouds (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - initiated, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, climb - to cruise
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - aircraft handling - uncontrolled, pilot in command (cause)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total instrument time, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE ACFT WAS OBSERVED ENTERING A CLOUD LAYER ABOUT 500 FT AGL AFTER TAKEOFF. ANOTHER WITNESS OBSERVED THE ACFT'S NAVIGATIONAL LIGHTS IN A CIRCLING MOTION AS THE ACFT PLUNGED TO THE GROUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5236F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5236F-1984-04-25), registration cancelled 1984-04-25, S/N 17253305 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172F
- Registry model: [Cessna 172F](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172f) (registry code 2072414) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 172-53305
- Airframe hours: 5071
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300D 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Civil Air Patrol
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 12, 1983
- Destination: PDK, ATLANTA, GA
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: Glynco Jetport, runway 7, 8,001 × 200 ft, macadam

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: unknown, unknown; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 319 total, 200 in this make and model, 198 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 10° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: BOK

## 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 19831030071219A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19831030071219A), Oct 30, 1983: Cessna 172F, Brunswick, GA, Destroyed. Departed into a low ceiling at night. Lost control and spiral dived into a swamp. Weather less than forecast.

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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