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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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April 20, 1983 · Cessna 172 · N7617T

Clinton, MD

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 20, 1983
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Clinton, MD
Aircraft
Cessna 172
Tail Number
N7617T
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL83LA164

WITNESSES OBSERVED THAT THE ACFT TOOK OFF FROM RWY 31, BEGAN A LEFT TURN, THEN DESCEND INTO THE TREES. ONE WITNESS, A LINEBOY, STATED THAT HE HEARD THE ENGINE RUNNING UNTIL THE ACFT CONTACTED THE TREES. THE PLT RECEIVED A HEAD INJURY AND WAS UNABLE TO RECALL DETAILS OF THE OCCURRENCE. IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE CRASH, HE REPORTEDLY TOLD RESCUE PERSONNEL THAT HE HAD 'HIT A DOWNDRAFT.' ABOUT 6 MI FROM THE ACCIDENT SITE, THE 0955 EST ANDREWS AFB WX OBSERVATION REPORTED WINDS FROM 280 AT 20 GUSTING 26 KTS AND NOTED IN THE REMARKS THAT IT HAD BEEN 330 AT 30 KTS. AT 1019 EST, THE WIND WAS FROM 330 AT 29 KTS. THERE WAS NO RECORD OF THE PLT RECEIVING A WX BRIEFING WHILE PREPARING FOR THE FLT.

Full Narrative

WITNESSES OBSERVED THAT THE ACFT TOOK OFF FROM RWY 31, BEGAN A LEFT TURN, THEN DESCEND INTO THE TREES. ONE WITNESS, A LINEBOY, STATED THAT HE HEARD THE ENGINE RUNNING UNTIL THE ACFT CONTACTED THE TREES. THE PLT RECEIVED A HEAD INJURY AND WAS UNABLE TO RECALL DETAILS OF THE OCCURRENCE. IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE CRASH, HE REPORTEDLY TOLD RESCUE PERSONNEL THAT HE HAD 'HIT A DOWNDRAFT.' ABOUT 6 MI FROM THE ACCIDENT SITE, THE 0955 EST ANDREWS AFB WX OBSERVATION REPORTED WINDS FROM 280 AT 20 GUSTING 26 KTS AND NOTED IN THE REMARKS THAT IT HAD BEEN 330 AT 30 KTS. AT 1019 EST, THE WIND WAS FROM 330 AT 29 KTS. THERE WAS NO RECORD OF THE PLT RECEIVING A WX BRIEFING WHILE PREPARING FOR THE FLT.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time09:30 EST
Nearest AirportHyde Field (1nm NW)
Runway31
Runway Length1930 ft
Runway Width30 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 172
Tail NumberN7617T
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-300 · Reciprocating · 145
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 33 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind280° @ 20 kt, gusting 26 kt
Visibility7 sm
CeilingOvercast 25000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point43 C / 18 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time09:55
Weather SourceWFAC

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Appendix: Source Data