# NTSB ATL84FA068: Cessna C-172M, N4275R, Chesapeake, VA, December 17, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: December 17, 1983, 18:15 local (23:15 UTC)
- Place: Chesapeake, VA
- Coordinates: 36.750102, -76.220443 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.7501&lon=-76.2204&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6242
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL84FA068
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6242/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL84FA068

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, maneuvering
  - door,passenger - open (contributing factor)
  - maintenance,adjustment - not attained, company maintenance personnel (contributing factor)
  - door,passenger - not engaged (contributing factor)
  - door,passenger - incorrect (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - terrain condition - water,glassy (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (cause)
  - light condition - dusk (contributing factor)
  - low pass - performed, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE ACRT CRASHED INTO A LAKE WHILE MAKING A LOW PASS WHEN THE PLT WAS DISTRACTED BY A PASSENGER DOOR THAT WOULD NOT STAY LATCHED. THE ACFT COLLIDED WHILE TURNING AND THE PLT STATED THAT HE WAS TRYING TO HELP THE PASSENGER CLOSE THE DOOR. HE ALSO STATED THAT HE WAS DISTRACTED BY REFLECTIONS IN THE WATER AND HIS NEXT CONSCIOUS MOMENT WAS BEING IN THE WATER STILL STRAPPED TO THE SEAT. NEITHER OF THE TWO OCCUPANTS HAD THEIR SHOULDER HARNESS FASTENED. THE PASSENGERWAS KNOCKED UNCONSCIOUS AND DROWNED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N4275R (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA C-172M
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17263052
- Airframe hours: 3826
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E20 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Mid Eastern Airways, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, October 12, 1983, 53 hours before
- Departed: W36, CHEASAPEAKE, VA
- Airport: W36, Cheasapeake Municipal

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 160 total, 61 in this make and model, 113 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 30° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 41 °F, dew point 30 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ORF, 22 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 19831217061429A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19831217061429A), Dec 17, 1983: Cessna 172M, Chesapeake, VA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Door opened during a low night pass over a lake. Flew into the water while holding door. Failed to note altitude.

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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