# NTSB FTW83FA144: Cessna 172N, N4505E, Mayflower, AR, March 8, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: March 7, 1983, 22:15 local (Mar 8, 1983, 04:15 UTC)
- Place: Mayflower, AR
- Coordinates: 34.969257, -92.409843 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.9693&lon=-92.4098&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 20710
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW83FA144
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20710/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW83FA144

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, descent - normal
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - impairment(alcohol), pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH TREES WHILE FLYING IN A WESTERLY DIRECTION NEAR MAYFLOWER, AR. THE ACFT WAS RETURNING FROM A CROSS-COUNTRY AT NIGHT AND WAS OBSERVED BY A GROUP OF YOUTHS WHO SAID IT WAS FLYING FAST AT LOW ALT. AS THEY WATCHED, IT DESCENDED TO ABOUT TREE TOP LEVEL. IT DIPPED AND STRUCK SOME TREE TOPS AND CRASHED ABOUT A MILE FROM THE OBSERVERS. THERE WERE NO KNOWN RADIO CONTACTS WITH THE ACFT DURING THE FLT. THERE IS NO RECORD OF THE PLT RECEIVING A WEATHER BRIEFING FOR THE FLT. A TOXICOLOGICAL EXAMINATION OF THE PILOT REVEALED AN ETHYL ALCOHOL CONCENTRATION IN THE BLOODSTREAM OF 0.362%.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N4505E (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172N
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17271616
- Airframe hours: 662
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Jack Wayman Rhea
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: HOT, HOT SPRINGS, AR
- Destination: CONWAY, AR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 350 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 290° at 14 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 36 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: LIT, 20 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 19830307074849A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830307074849A), Mar 7, 1983: Cessna 172N, Mayflower, AR, Destroyed. Aircraft was observed flying low and erratically before crash into trees.

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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