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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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NTSB Report

April 28, 1983 · Cessna 172N · N54174

Morrilton, AR

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 28, 1983
Injury Outcomes
3 injuries (3 minor injuries), 1 uninjured
Location
Morrilton, AR
Aircraft
Cessna 172N
Tail Number
N54174
Operator
Ramp One Aviation
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
FTW83LA352

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH TREES ON THE FINAL APPROACH TO LAND AT NIGHT. THE PLT HAD CANCELED HIS IFR CLEARANCE. DURING THE APPROACH THE PLT HAD THE RWY IN SIGHT AND ASKED MEMPHIS CENTER HOW FAR HE WAS FROM THE ARPT. WHEN HE WAS INFORMED HE WAS3 MILES SOUTH HE DECIDED TO MAKE A DESCENDING 360 TURN TO LOSE ALT. AS HE STRAIGHENED THE ACFT AFTER TURNING HE LOOKED IN THE COCKPIT. WHEN HE LOOKED BACK OUT TREES WERE SEEN ILLUMINATED BY THE LANDING LIGHTS. HE TRIED TO CLIMB BUT WAS UNABLE TO ARREST THE DESCENT SO HE MINIMIZED THE SPEED FOR IMPACT IN THE TREES. THE PLT SAID HE WAS FATIGUED, SHOULD NOT HAVE CANCELED IFR AND SHOULD NOT HAVE MADE THE VERTIGO INDUCING TURN.

Full Narrative

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH TREES ON THE FINAL APPROACH TO LAND AT NIGHT. THE PLT HAD CANCELED HIS IFR CLEARANCE. DURING THE APPROACH THE PLT HAD THE RWY IN SIGHT AND ASKED MEMPHIS CENTER HOW FAR HE WAS FROM THE ARPT. WHEN HE WAS INFORMED HE WAS3 MILES SOUTH HE DECIDED TO MAKE A DESCENDING 360 TURN TO LOSE ALT. AS HE STRAIGHENED THE ACFT AFTER TURNING HE LOOKED IN THE COCKPIT. WHEN HE LOOKED BACK OUT TREES WERE SEEN ILLUMINATED BY THE LANDING LIGHTS. HE TRIED TO CLIMB BUT WAS UNABLE TO ARREST THE DESCENT SO HE MINIMIZED THE SPEED FOR IMPACT IN THE TREES. THE PLT SAID HE WAS FATIGUED, SHOULD NOT HAVE CANCELED IFR AND SHOULD NOT HAVE MADE THE VERTIGO INDUCING TURN.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time22:43 CDT
Nearest AirportPetit Jean (2nm NNE)
Runway20
Runway Length5980 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 172N
Tail NumberN54174
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorRamp One Aviation
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320 · Reciprocating · 160
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary3 injuries (3 minor injuries), 1 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor3
Uninjured1
Total4
Crew 1Age 39 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDark Night
Wind200° @ 5 kt
Visibility7 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Weather SourcePILO

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Appendix: Source Data