# NTSB ATL84LA287: Cessna 152, N757DN, Columbus, GA, September 16, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 16, 1984, 18:38 local (22:38 UTC)
- Place: Columbus, GA
- Location: 32.4610° N, 84.9877° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Columbus, GA, within about 8 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.4610&lon=-84.9877&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6543
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL84LA287
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6543/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL84LA287

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - weather condition - low ceiling
  - vfr procedures - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - fuel consumption calculations - misjudged, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - refueling - disregarded, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - wire,static
  - object - utility pole
  - object - building(nonresidential)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

THE PLT DEPARTED DELAND, FL, FOR COLUMBUS, GA, WITH AN INTENDED FUEL STOP AT AMERICUS, GA. WHILE EN ROUTE FROM DELAND TO AMERICUS THE CEILING BECAME LOWER THAN FORECAST AND THE PLT MADE THE DECISION TO FLY AT 8500 FT MSL STAYING ABOVE THE CLOUD LAYER. WITH OVERCAST SKY REMAINING AT AMERICUS, THE PLT STATED, FUEL CONSUMPTION WAS RECALCULATED AND THE DECISION WAS MADE TO CONTINUE TO COLUMBUS WITHOUT REFUELING. THE ENGINE QUIT WHILE ON A 2 MILE FINAL AT COLUMBUS ARPT. DURING THE EMERGENCY DESCENT THE ACFT CONTACTED POWERLINES 1 MILE FROM THE ARPT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N757DN](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N757DN-1984-11-23), registration cancelled 1984-11-23, S/N 15279658 (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: 15279658
- Airframe hours: 3042
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 115 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Ernest R. Rigch
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, August 1, 1984, 57 hours before
- Departed: DED, DE LAND, FL
- Destination: CSG, COLUMBUS, GA
- Airport: CSG, Columbus Metropolitan

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 24; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 88 total, 52 in this make and model, 52 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,800 ft broken
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CSG, 1 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 19840916051279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840916051279A), Sep 16, 1984: Cessna 152, Columbus, GA, Substantial damage. Student flew on top and unable to descend extended destination. Ran out of fuel approaching airport crash landed.

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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