# NTSB ATL83FA155: Cessna 182, N7439N, Rocky Face, GA, April 5, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: April 5, 1983, 12:56 local (17:56 UTC)
- Place: Rocky Face, GA
- Coordinates: 34.750644, -85.080444 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.7506&lon=-85.0804&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5903
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL83FA155
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5903/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL83FA155

## 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 - thunderstorm (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - obscuration (contributing factor)
  - flight into known adverse weather - initiated, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, cruise - normal
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING TWO WX BRIEFINGS THE PLT WAS ADVISED THAT WX ENROUTE WOULD BE MARGINAL VMC TO IMC. HE WAS GIVEN A CONVECTIVE SIGMET COVERING TENESSEE & NORTH CAROLINA. THERE WAS A POSSIBILITY OF THUNDERSTORM ACTIVITY, LOW CEILING & VISIBILITY, HIGH SURFACE WINDS, TURBULENCE, ICING & MOUNTAINS OBSCURED. NUMEROUS PLTS HAD CANCELLED FLTS DUE TO THE SEVERITY OF THE WX. AT 1251 THE PLT DEPARTED CHATTANOOGA AT WHICH TIME HE WAS ADVISED OF A THUNDERSTORM CELL BETWEEN HIS POSITION & DALTON, GA MOVING NNE & COULD POSSIBLY BE ALONG HIS INTENDED ROUTE OF FLT. ABOUT 5 MINUTES LATER THE ACFT IMPACTED A RIDGE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7439N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7439N-1985-06-27), registration cancelled 1985-06-27, S/N 18263217 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 182
- Registry model: [Cessna 182P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182p) (registry code 2075816) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18263217
- Airframe hours: 1800
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-S 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Aviation Supply Company
- Registered owner: Richard V. Adams, Sr.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 21, 1983, 0 hours before
- Departed: CHA, CHATTANOOGA, TN
- Destination: FTY, DALTON, GA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,500 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 50° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 4 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,500 ft overcast
- Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CHA, 19 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 19830405011209A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830405011209A), Apr 5, 1983: Cessna 182P, Rocky Face, GA, Destroyed. Struck trees on top of a ridge in marginal VMC. Tops of ridges obscured. Was advised VFR not recommended..

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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