# NTSB ATL82FA080: Cessna 172N, N738QS, Francisco, NC, March 20, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: March 20, 1982, 01:00 local (06:00 UTC)
- Place: Francisco, NC
- Coordinates: 36.469345, -80.349235 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.4693&lon=-80.3492&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report March 20, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 70736
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL82FA080
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/70736/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL82FA080

## Analysis

THE NON-INSTRUMENT RATED PILOT RECEIVED A PARTIAL WEATHER BRIEFING BY TELEPHONE, BUT HUNG UP WHEN HE OBTAINED THE INFORMATION THAT HE REQUESTED. FBO PERSONNEL STATED THAT HE LOOKED AND ACTED TIRED BEFORE TAKING OFF AT 0022 EST. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE PLANE WAS REPORTED AS MISSING. AN AIRBORNE SEARCH WAS STARTED AT 0700 AND THE PLANE WAS FOUND AT 0730. A LOCAL RESIDENT HAD HEARD A CRASH AT ABOUT 0100, BUT HE THOUGHT IT WAS AN AUTOMOBILE ON A NEARBY ROAD. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THERE WERE LOW CEILINGS WITH FOG AND HAZE IN THE AREA. AN EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE REVEALEDTHAT THE PLANE HAD CRASHED IN A STEEP DIVE.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - haze/smoke (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - continued, pilot in command (cause)
  - fatigue, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, cruise
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total instrument time, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N738QS](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N738QS-1982-12-10), registration cancelled 1982-12-10, S/N 17270160 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172N
- Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17270160
- Airframe hours: 5473
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Howard Leslee Hall
- Registered owner: Howard Leslee Hall
- Departed: GSO, GREENSBORO, NC
- Destination: BCB, CHRISTIANSBURG, VA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 373 total, 317 in this make and model, 323 as pilot in command, 24 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 60° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 500 ft overcast
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: INT, 33 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 19820320004889A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820320004889A), Mar 20, 1982: Cessna 172N, Francisco, NC, Destroyed. Fatigued VFR pilot flew into adverse weather en route at night. Lost control. Forecast was MVFR to IFR.

## Other investigations on N738QS (1)

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.

- [NTSB NYC78FHA10](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC78FHA10), Jan 9, 1978: Cessna 172 (N738QS), Landsdale, PA, substantial damage

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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