# NTSB NYC83FA122: Cessna 172N, N4980G, N. Stonington, CT, May 20, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 20, 1983, 15:12 local (19:12 UTC)
- Place: N. Stonington, CT
- Location: 41.4409° N, 71.8812° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of North Stonington, CT, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.4409&lon=-71.8812&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious, 5 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35047
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC83FA122
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35047/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC83FA122

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise - normal
  - electrical system,voltage regulator - open (contributing factor)
  - maintenance,inspection - poor, other maintenance personnel (cause)
  - electrical system,circuit breaker - popped/tripped (contributing factor)
  - remedial action - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - instrument light(s) - disconnected (contributing factor)
  - checklist - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - electrical system,battery - exhaustion (contributing factor)
- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, go-around (vfr)
  - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (contributing factor)
  - precautionary landing - attempted, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - carburetor heat - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, go-around (vfr)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH A TREE DURING A GO-AROUND AT NIGHT FOLLOWING A DOWNWIND PRECAUTIONARY LANDING. DURING THE FLT THE PLT HAD NOTED THE FUEL GAUGES AT LOW READINGS AND SAID HE SUSPECTED A 'FUEL LEAK'. HE MADE RADIO CALLS TO TRY TO GO TO AN ARPT BEFORE FUEL EXHAUSTION. SHORTLY AFTER RADIO CONTACT WAS MADE COMMUNICATIONS WERE LOST AND AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED. THE PLT DESCENDED BELOW THE CLOUDS. HE ABANDONED ONE APPROACH BECAUSE THE FIELD LOOKED 'SHORT AND SOGGY.' THE NEXT APPROACH TO ANOTHER FIELD WAS MISSED HE SAID BECAUSE OF A TAILWIND. DURING GO-AROUND THE ENGINE QUIT AND THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH A TREE. EXAMINATION OF THE ACFT AFTER THE ACCIDENT SHOWED THE ALTERNATOR CIRCUIT BREAKERPOPPED. THE ALTERNATOR WAS REMOVED AND TESTED. IT PRODUCED A VOLTAGE INDICATION AT 700 RPMS TO 4500 RPMS. MAXIMUM VOLTAGE WAS 30 VOLTS. THE LOW VOLTAGE LIGHT BULB WAS INCORRECT AND THE WIRING WAS DISCONNECTED. THE WEATHER AT ACCIDENT TIME WAS CONDUCIVE TO CARBURETOR ICING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4980G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4980G-2012-12-18), registration cancelled 2012-12-18, S/N 17273527, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172N
- Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17273527
- Airframe hours: 830
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Coastal Air Services, Inc.
- Registered owner: Whiteny Bowles DBA
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, March 17, 1983, 74 hours before
- Departed: ACK, NANTUCKET, MA
- Destination: GON, GROTON, CT
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,510 total, 550 in this make and model, 2,295 as pilot in command, 115 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 500 ft overcast
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: GON, 8 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 19830520075909A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830520075909A), May 20, 1983: Cessna 172N, North Stoningto, CT, Destroyed. Lost electrical power, descended below clouds. Engine quit due to carburetor ice. Loose alternator belt probable.

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.