# NTSB ATL83FA161: Cessna 177RG, N2765V, Mobile, AL, April 14, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: April 13, 1983, 19:01 local (Apr 14, 1983, 00:01 UTC)
- Place: Mobile, AL
- Coordinates: 30.680088, -88.299064 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.6801&lon=-88.2991&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Unknown](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/990) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5904
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL83FA161
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5904/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL83FA161

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, unknown
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)

## Analysis

THE PLT HAD NOT FLOWN ACTIVELY FOR APRX 1 YR. HOWEVER, SHORTLY BEFORE THE ACCIDENT, HE HAD TOLD FRIENDS THAT HE HAD MISSED FLYING & WAS GOING TO RESUME THIS ACTIVITY. HE RECEIVED A CHECKOUT IN THE CESSNA 177RG ON 12/12/82 IN ANTICIPATION OF FLYING AGAIN. THIS WAS THE LAST RECORD OF THE PLT'S FLT ACTIVITY THAT WAS FOUND. AT APRX 1815 CST ON 4/13/83, HE ARRIVED AT THE ARPT & TOLD SEVERAL PEOPLE HE WAS GOING FOR A REFRESHER/PLEASURE FLT. HE TOOK OFF AT 1840 (21 MIN AFTER OFFICIAL SUNSET). ABOUT 15 MIN LATER, WHEN THE PLT TERMINATED RADAR SERVICE, HE REPORTED THAT HE HAD A SEVERE CASE OF VERTIGO & INDICATED HE WOULD RETURN TO THE DEPARTURE ARPT. A SHORT TIME LATER, SAID HE MAY NEED MEDICAL ATTENTION. HE THEN STATED THAT HE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO GET TO THAT ARPT & WAS EXPERIENCING 'BLIND SPOTS' & A 'FAST HEART BEAT.' SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT CRASHED INTO THE MIDDLE OF A ROW OF CONCRETE SILOS AT NIGHT. NO PREIMPACT,MECHANICAL FAILURE WAS EVIDENT. REPORTEDLY, THE PLT HAD RECENT FAINTING SPELLS, HAD A HISTORY OF DEPRESSION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N2765V (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 177RG
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 177RG0689
- Airframe hours: 2506
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-A1B6D 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Aero One Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, November 11, 1982, 91 hours before
- Departed: MOB, MOBILE, AL
- Airport: MOB, Bates Field

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 2,000 total, 500 in this make and model, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 150° at 21 knots, gusting 29
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,400 ft overcast
- Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MOB, 15 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 19830413014879A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830413014879A), Apr 13, 1983: Cessna 177RG, Mobile, AL, Destroyed. Pilot became ill on a local flight. Flew into the side of a concrete silo. Pilot had previous blackout spells.

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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