# NTSB ATL82FA153: Cessna 172M, N5443H, Alabaster, AL, June 4, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: June 4, 1982, 08:20 local (14:20 UTC)
- Place: Alabaster, AL
- Coordinates: 33.220729, -86.820335 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.2207&lon=-86.8203&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report June 4, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 69706
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL82FA153
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/69706/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL82FA153

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, maneuvering
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - continued, pilot in command (cause)
  - instructions,written/verbal - not followed, atc personnel(supervisor)
- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

AT 0755, THE PLT CONTACTED BIRMINGHAM APPROACH CONTROL & REPORTED 35 MI SOUTH AT 2,000 FT. HE WAS ADVISED OF THE BHM WX & THAT IT WAS IFR AT THE ARPT. THE PILOT STATED HE WOULD LIKE TO LAND AT ANOTHER ARPT & WAS GIVEN HIS APPROXIMATE POSITION TO THREE ARPTS. AT 0808 RADAR CONTACT WAS ESTABLISHED APPROXIMATELY 6 MI SW OF SHELBY COUNTY ARPT. THE PLT THENADVISED THAT HE WAS MANEUVERING VFR. AT 0811, THE PLT ADVISED HE WAS TURNING SOUTH TO FIND BETTER VFR WX. THE ACFT CRASHED ABOUT 7 MI WSW OF THE SHELBY COUNTY ARPT. THE CONTROLLER WORKING THE ACFT NOTIFIED THE TEAM SUPERVISOR OF LOSS OF RADIO & RADAR CONTACT, WHO THEN NOTIFIED THE DEPUTY CHIEF. AT 0845, THE TOWER CHIEF DIRECTED THAT PRELIMINARY ACCIDENT NOTIFICATION PROCEDURES NOT BE IMPLEMENTED. AT 1400, THREE PERSONNEL FROM THE BHM TOWER, INCLUDING THE CONTROLLER WHO WAS WORKING THE ACFT & HAD REQUESTED 2 HRS ANNUAL LEAVE TO ASSIST, INITIATED SEARCH ACTIONS ON THEIR OWN,& LOCATED THE WRECKAGE AT 1510.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5443H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5443H-2013-04-18), registration cancelled 2013-04-18, S/N 17265441, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172M
- Registry model: [Cessna 172M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172m) (registry code 2072418) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 172-65441
- Airframe hours: 1013
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: James H. Thomas
- Registered owner: James H. Thomas
- Departed: MOBILE, AL
- Destination: BIRMINGHAM, AL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: unknown, unknown

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 130° at 8 knots
- Lowest ceiling: 1,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 156 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: BHN, 25 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 19820604020609A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820604020609A), Jun 4, 1982: Cessna 172M, Alabaster, AL, Destroyed. VFR pilot flew into area of rain, low ceiling,fog and thunderstorms. Crashed into a wooded area. No witnesses.

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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