# NTSB FTW84FA023: Cessna 172M, N321HR, Redfield, AR, October 16, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: October 16, 1983, 14:45 local (19:45 UTC)
- Place: Redfield, AR
- Coordinates: 34.440494, -92.180122 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.4405&lon=-92.1801&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21072
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW84FA023
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21072/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW84FA023

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise
  - flight into known adverse weather - initiated, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - high obstruction(s) (contributing factor)
  - pull-up - performed, pilot in command
  - vfr flight into imc - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - maneuver - initiated, pilot in command
  - airspeed - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - seat belt - not used, pilot in command
  - seat belt - not used, copilot/second pilot

## Analysis

AT APRX 1331 CDT, THE PLT ENTERED THE PINE BLUFF FSS STATION & REQUESTED A BRIEFING FOR A VFR FLT TO SPRINGFIELD, MO. HE WAS ADVISED THAT VFR FLT WAS NOT RECOMMENDED. THE PLT RETURNED AGAIN BETWEEN 1335 & 1350 & WAS SEEN EXAMINING THE WX CHARTS. AT APRX 1420, HE TOOK OFF WITHOUT FILING A FLT PLAN & REMAINED BELOW THE CLOUDS DURING DEPARTURE. A SHORT TIME LATER, THE ACFT WAS SEEN FLYING UP THE ARKANSAS RIVER AT LOW ALTITUDE WHERE POWER LINES CROSSED THE RIVER. THE PLT PULLED UP TO CLEAR THE POWER LINES. REPORTEDLY, HE PULLED UP, STALLED, THEN RECOVERED & TURNED AWAY FROM THE RIVER. MOMENTS LATER, IT RETURNED HEADING DOWN RIVER BACK TOWARD THE POWER LINES. REPORTEDLY, IT STALLED AGAIN, IMPACTED THE WATER & SANK. ALL 3 OCCUPANTS DROWNED. THERE WAS EVIDENCE THAT THE FRONT SEAT OCCUPANTS WERE NOT USING THEIR SEAT BELTS & SHOULDER HARNESSES & BOTH HAD RECEIVED TEMPORAL & FACIAL LACERATIONS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N321HR](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N321HR-2012-09-27), registration cancelled 2012-09-27, S/N 17264440, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172M
- Registry model: [Cessna 172M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172m) (registry code 2072418) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17264440
- Airframe hours: 1714
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Circle H Aviation
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 28, 1983, 22 hours before
- Departed: PBF, PINE BLUFF, AR
- Destination: SPRINGFIELD, MO

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 140° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 600 ft broken
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 63 °F
- Observed at: PBF, 21 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 19831016074639A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19831016074639A), Oct 16, 1983: Cessna 172M, Redfield, AR, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Departed into near zero IMC. Was seen to pull u to miss wires over a river lost control. All 3 occlupants drowned.

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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