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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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January 24, 1982 · Cessna 172 · N80420

Taunton, MA

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
January 24, 1982
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Location
Taunton, MA
Aircraft
Cessna 172
Tail Number
N80420
Operator
Deveron Cole
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
NYC82FNA10

THE STUDENT PILOT TOOK OFF AT NIGHT ON AN UNSUPERVISED PLEASURE FLIGHT. HIS PASSENGER DID NOT HOLD ANY TYPE OF PILOT CERTIFICATE. AFTER TAKEOFF, THE PILOT ENCOUNTERED FOG.HE USED THE NBD FOR ORIENTATION AND WAS ABLE TO RETURN TO THE AIRPORT. HE REPORTED OBTAINING VISUAL CONTACT WITH THE RUNWAY AFTER DESCENDING TO 500 FT, BUT WAS TOO HIGH TO LAND. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE STARTED TO MAKE A 360 DEGREE TURN AND DESCEND. HOWEVER, AS HE WAS MAKING THE TURN, HE ENTERED ANOTHER FOG BANK, BECAME DISORIENTED, AND CRASHED INTO TREES.

Full Narrative

THE STUDENT PILOT TOOK OFF AT NIGHT ON AN UNSUPERVISED PLEASURE FLIGHT. HIS PASSENGER DID NOT HOLD ANY TYPE OF PILOT CERTIFICATE. AFTER TAKEOFF, THE PILOT ENCOUNTERED FOG.HE USED THE NBD FOR ORIENTATION AND WAS ABLE TO RETURN TO THE AIRPORT. HE REPORTED OBTAINING VISUAL CONTACT WITH THE RUNWAY AFTER DESCENDING TO 500 FT, BUT WAS TOO HIGH TO LAND. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE STARTED TO MAKE A 360 DEGREE TURN AND DESCEND. HOWEVER, AS HE WAS MAKING THE TURN, HE ENTERED ANOTHER FOG BANK, BECAME DISORIENTED, AND CRASHED INTO TREES.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time02:30 EST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 172
Tail NumberN80420
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorDeveron Cole
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-E2D · Reciprocating · 160
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor2
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 52 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsUnknown
LightDark Night
Wind90°
Visibility1 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point11 C / 0 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg

Appendix: Source Data