# NTSB ATL84FLT01: Cessna 152, N48825, Clifton, TN, October 27, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: October 27, 1983, 18:00 local (23:00 UTC)
- Place: Clifton, TN
- Coordinates: 35.219615, -88.230331 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.2196&lon=-88.2303&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6319
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL84FLT01
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6319/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL84FLT01

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, descent - normal
  - exhaust system,muffler - failure,total (cause)
  - exhaust system - blocked(partial)
- Forced landing, landing
- In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - impairment(alcohol), pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO THE PLT, HE WAS DESCENDING FROM 8500 FT TO 2500 FT WHEN THE ENG QUIT WITHOUT WARNING AT APRX 4500 FT. HE STATED THAT HE MADE A 'MAYDAY' CALL & ATTEMPTED TO MAKE AN EMERGENCY LANDING IN A FIELD. HOWEVER, THE ACFT HIT SOME TREES AT THE EDGE OF THE FIELD & THE PLANE CRASHED UPSIDE DOWN. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE BAFFLING IN THE MUFFLER HAD COME LOOSE & HAD BECOME JAMMED IN THE OUTLET, THUS STOPPING THE FLOW OF THE EXHAUST. A SAMPLE OF THE PLT'S BLOOD WAS TESTED & FOUND TO CONTAIN 0.20% ALCOHOL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N48825](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N48825-1984-11-19), registration cancelled 1984-11-19, S/N 15280985 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 152
- Registry model: [Cessna 152](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-152) (registry code 2071835) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15280985
- Airframe hours: 1692
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Thomas H. Harper, Sr.
- Registered owner: Air American, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: 100 hour, October 19, 1983, 23 hours before
- Departed: BNA, NASHVILLE, TN
- Destination: DTN, SHREVEPORT, LA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 135 total, 36 in this make and model, 33 as pilot in command, 44 in the last 90 days, 14 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19831027056209A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19831027056209A), Oct 27, 1983: Cessna 152, Clifton, TN, Substantial damage. Engine lost power. Hit trees on forced landing approach to an open field. Loose muffler baffling blocked exhaust.

## Other investigations on N48825 (1)

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.

- [NTSB FTW81DRJ04](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW81DRJ04), Oct 26, 1980: Cessna 152 (N48825), Florien, LA, substantial damage

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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