# NTSB CHI83LA399: Cessna 172E, N3540S, Columbia Sta., OH, August 30, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 29, 1983, 21:00 local (Aug 30, 1983, 01:00 UTC)
- Place: Columbia Sta., OH
- Location: 41.3131° N, 81.9468° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Columbia Station, OH, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.3131&lon=-81.9468&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12323
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI83LA399
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12323/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI83LA399

## Sequence of events

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

- Undershoot, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - impairment(alcohol), pilot in command (cause)
  - light condition - night (contributing factor)
  - distance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO THE NON-RATED PLT, HE WAS ON DOWNWIND TO LAND WHEN HE APPLIED CARBURETOR HEAT, THEN THE ENG RPM BEGAN TO DECREASE. HE STATED THAT HE PUSHED THE THROTTLE FORWARD, BUT GOT NO RESPONSE FROM THE ENG. HE FURTHER STATED THAT THE ACFT CONTINUED TO LOSE ALTITUDE & HIT POWER LINES. HOWEVER, THE PASSENGER, WHO WAS A RATED PLT STATED THAT HE WAS NOT AWARE THE PLT WAS NOT RATED. THE PASSENGER REPORTED THAT HE OBSERVED NO MALFUNCTION OF THE POWER PLANT OPERATION BUT THAT THE APCH WAS FLOWN TOO LOW TO CLEAR THE POWER LINES. AFTER COLLIDING WITH THE POWER LINES, THE ACFT CRASHED TO THE GROUND IN AN INVERTED ATTITUDE. THE PLT HAD PREVIOUSLY OBTAINED A STUDENT PLT CERTIFICATE, BUT HIS MEDICAL HAD EXPIRED. A TOXICOLOGICAL EXAM REVEALED THAT HE HAD A BLOOD ALCOHOL LEVEL OF 0.147%.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3540S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3540S-2013-07-30), registration cancelled 2013-07-30, S/N 17250740, built 1963 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172E
- Registry model: [Cessna 172E](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172e) (registry code 2072412) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17250740
- Airframe hours: 1715
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300-D 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Kenneth E. Garber
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: 1G6, STRONGVILLE, OH
- Airport: 468, Columbia Station, runway 36, 2,000 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: unknown, expired; seat: left; flight hours: 36 total, 12 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/bright
- Wind: 300° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CLE, 6 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 19830829048969A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830829048969A), Aug 29, 1983: Cessna 172E, Columbia Statio, OH, Destroyed. Struck wires on final for the runway. Expired student permit. Issued under a ficticuous name. Odor of alcohol.

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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