# NTSB MIA83FA113: Cessna 172RG, N6418V, Gainesville, FL, April 10, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: April 9, 1983, 20:20 local (Apr 10, 1983, 01:20 UTC)
- Place: Gainesville, FL
- Coordinates: 29.649082, -82.320564 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.6491&lon=-82.3206&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): 30774
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA83FA113
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30774/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA83FA113

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - preflight briefing service - not obtained, pilot in command (cause)
  - flight into known adverse weather - continued, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - self-induced pressure, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, cruise
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - aircraft handling - uncontrolled, pilot in command (cause)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total instrument time, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of total experience in type operation, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE ACFT CRASHED ABOUT 8 MILES FROM THE INTENDED DESTINATION DURING WEATHER ON A DARK NIGHT. THE PLT HAD GONE OUTBOUND THAT AFTERNOON WITH TWO PASSENGERS WHO DID NOT RETURN WITH HIM BECAUSE OF MOTION SICKNESS. ACCORDING TO THE ONE OF HIS FORMER INSTRUCTORS THE PLT HAD A TENDENCY TO 'PRESS THE WEATHER.' HE HAD BEEN ADVISED NOT TO FLY ON THIS DAY AND HIS RELATIVES ASKED HIM NOT TO TRY THE RETURN TRIP BECAUSE OF DARKNESS AND WEATHER. HE WENT ANYWAY BECAUSE OF AN IMPENDING TRIP THE NEXT DAY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6418V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6418V-1990-02-22), registration cancelled 1990-02-22, S/N 172RG0679 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172RG
- Registry model: [Cessna 172RG](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172rg) (registry code 2072438) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: C172RG0679
- Airframe hours: 368
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-F1A6 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Carstensen, Louis W.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, November 12, 1983, 50 hours before
- Departed: CEDAR KEY, FL
- Destination: OJ8, ARCHER, FL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 65; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 530 total, 500 in this make and model, 478 as pilot in command, 130 in the last 90 days, 13 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 240° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: GNV, 15 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 19830409015339A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830409015339A), Apr 9, 1983: Cessna 172RG, Gainesville, FL, Destroyed. Lost control of aircraft at dark night in low ceiling, rain, and fog. No weather briefing. Demolished on impact.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.