# NTSB ATL84FA247: Cessna 172H, N3272L, Ellijay, GA, August 8, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 8, 1984, 01:45 local (05:45 UTC)
- Place: Ellijay, GA
- Coordinates: 34.690765, -84.479804 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.6908&lon=-84.4798&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6292
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL84FA247
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6292/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL84FA247

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - base leg/base to final
  - light condition - night (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - tree(s) (cause)
  - stolen aircraft/unauthorized use, pilot in command

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PILOT AND PASSENGER WERE ON UNAUTHORIZED FLIGHT IN THE LOCAL AREA AT 0145 WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURED. ACCORDING TO THE STUDENT PILOT HE HAD RETURNED FROM A LOCAL FLT, PICKED UP A PAX, DEPARTED AGAIN AND HAD FLOWN FOR 30 TO 45 MINS BEFORE RETURNING TO JASPER FOR LANDING. THE AIRPORT HAD FOGGED IN WHEN THEY RETURNED SO THE PILOT DIVERTED TO A SECOND ARPT. HE MANAGED TO LOCATE THE AIRPORT BUT COULD ONLY SEE TWO GREEN LIGHTS ON ONE OF THE RWY BECAUSE OF FOG OBSCURING THE RUNWAY. THE PLT CONTENDED THE FLT WAS CONDUCTED BY THE AFT OWNER'S SOME WITH OUT HIS PERMISSION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N3272L (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172H
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17256172
- Airframe hours: 5410
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300-D 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Frank N. Eubanks
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, December 20, 1983, 77 hours before
- Departed: GA03, JASPER, GA
- Airport: 49A, Glimer Co.

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 19; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 115 total, 15 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/bright
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: FTY, 52 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 19840808038459A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840808038459A), Aug 8, 1984: Cessna 172H, Ellijay, GA, Destroyed. Struck trees on final trying to land with runway obscured by dense ground fog. Fuel tanks were near empty.

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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