# NTSB MIA75AM018: Cessna 172M, N5142R, Missing Aircraft, August 30, 1974

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: August 30, 1974
- Place: Missing Aircraft · MISSING AIRCRAFT, UN
- Phase of flight: [Unknown](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/990) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed, report November 29, 1974
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 138754
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA75AM018
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA75AM018

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3497  74/8/30    MISSING AIRCRAFT    CESSNA 172M         CR-  1  0  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 29, 150
        TIME - UNK/NR                  N5142R              PX-  2  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 40 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          ATHENS,GA                   CHARLESTON,W VA
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           MISSING AIRCRAFT,NOT RECOVERED                           UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           MISCELLANEOUS - UNDETERMINED
        REMARKS- DAMAGE & INJURY INDEX PRESUMED.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5142R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5142R-2004-06-02), registration cancelled 2004-06-02, S/N 17263359, 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
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed

## 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 19740830037639A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19740830037639A), Aug 30, 1974: Cessna 172M, Saltville, VA, Destroyed, 3 fatal. (-23) The airplane was destroyed when it collided with beartown mountain, near Saltville, Virginia. Night instrument meteorological conditions prevailed for…

## Other investigations on N5142R (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 NYC07LA005](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC07LA005), Aug 31, 1974: Cessna 172M (N5142R), Saltville, VA, destroyed, 3 fatal. Probable cause: The pilot's continued VFR flight into known night instrument meteorological conditions. Factors in the accident included mountainous terrain obscured by clouds, and dark night conditions.

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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