# NTSB ATL82FA057: Piper PA-28-140, N5552F, Hytop, AL, February 19, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: February 18, 1982, 23:40 local (Feb 19, 1982, 05:40 UTC)
- Place: Hytop, AL
- Location: 34.8966° N, 86.0892° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Hytop, AL, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.8966&lon=-86.0892&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report February 18, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 71137
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL82FA057
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/71137/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL82FA057

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - haze/smoke (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of familiarity with aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - continued, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of familiarity with geographic area, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, cruise - normal
  - terrain condition - high terrain (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT FILED AND DEPARTED VFR INTO FORECAST MARGINAL FLIGHT CONDITIONS. WHILE EN ROUTE THE DESTINATION WENT IFR AND THIS INFORMATION WAS PASSED ON TO THE PILOT. THE PILOT REPLIED THAT HE WAS GOING TO CONTINUE ON AND GET AS CLOSE TO CHATTANOOGA AS POSSIBLE. THE LAST RADAR CONTACT WITH THE AIRCRAFT WAS AT 2335 WHEN THE AIRCRAFT WAS OBSERVED TRACKING WESTBOUND AND THEN REVERSING COURSE TO THE EAST.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5552F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5552F-2013-06-13), registration cancelled 2013-06-13, S/N 28-24891, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-140
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-24891
- Airframe hours: 1889
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Dax Dehaan
- Registered owner: Dax Dehaan
- Departed: TUPELO, MS
- Destination: CHATTANOOGA, TN
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 56 total, 32 in this make and model, 15 as pilot in command, 35 in the last 90 days, 21 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 200° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 900 ft broken
- Temperature: 120 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CHA, 44 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 19820218004659A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820218004659A), Feb 18, 1982: Piper PA28140, Hytop, AL, Destroyed. Struck ridgeline en route in MVFR. Was advised VFR not recommended. Student pilot not endorsed for flight.

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.

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