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NTSB Report
December 17, 1983 · Cessna C-172M · N4275R
Chesapeake, VA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 17, 1983
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (1 fatality, 1 serious injury)
Location
Chesapeake, VA
Aircraft
Cessna C-172M
Tail Number
N4275R
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
ATL84FA068
THE ACRT CRASHED INTO A LAKE WHILE MAKING A LOW PASS WHEN THE PLT WAS DISTRACTED BY A PASSENGER DOOR THAT WOULD NOT STAY LATCHED. THE ACFT COLLIDED WHILE TURNING AND THE PLT STATED THAT HE WAS TRYING TO HELP THE PASSENGER CLOSE THE DOOR. HE ALSO STATED THAT HE WAS DISTRACTED BY REFLECTIONS IN THE WATER AND HIS NEXT CONSCIOUS MOMENT WAS BEING IN THE WATER STILL STRAPPED TO THE SEAT. NEITHER OF THE TWO OCCUPANTS HAD THEIR SHOULDER HARNESS FASTENED. THE PASSENGERWAS KNOCKED UNCONSCIOUS AND DROWNED.
Full Narrative
THE ACRT CRASHED INTO A LAKE WHILE MAKING A LOW PASS WHEN THE PLT WAS DISTRACTED BY A PASSENGER DOOR THAT WOULD NOT STAY LATCHED. THE ACFT COLLIDED WHILE TURNING AND THE PLT STATED THAT HE WAS TRYING TO HELP THE PASSENGER CLOSE THE DOOR. HE ALSO STATED THAT HE WAS DISTRACTED BY REFLECTIONS IN THE WATER AND HIS NEXT CONSCIOUS MOMENT WAS BEING IN THE WATER STILL STRAPPED TO THE SEAT. NEITHER OF THE TWO OCCUPANTS HAD THEIR SHOULDER HARNESS FASTENED. THE PASSENGERWAS KNOCKED UNCONSCIOUS AND DROWNED.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time18:15 EST
Nearest AirportCheasapeake Municipal (9nm WSW)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftCessna C-172M
Tail NumberN4275R
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-E20 · Reciprocating · 150
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary2 injuries (1 fatality, 1 serious injury)
Fatal1
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 39 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDark Night
Wind30° @ 5 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point41 C / 30 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time22:50
Weather SourceWFAC