# NTSB ATL83FID01: Cessna 172G, N3957L, Boones Mill, VA, October 8, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: October 8, 1982, 14:07 local (18:07 UTC)
- Place: Boones Mill, VA
- Location: 37.1156° N, 79.9514° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Boones Mill, VA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.1156&lon=-79.9514&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report October 8, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 70006
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL83FID01
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/70006/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL83FID01

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - continued, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - rising (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS TRYING TO APPROACH ROANOKE IN WEATHER THAT OBSCURED THE MOUNTAIN TOPS. HE CRASHED INTO A MOUNTAIN SLOPE AT THE 2900 FOOT LEVEL. HE HAD CONTACTED ROANOKE RADIO BUT RADAR CONTACT HAD NOT BEEN ESTABLISHED. DURING HIS WEATHER BRIEFING VFR FLIGHT HAD NOT BEEN RECOMMENDED. TWO WITNESSES STATED THAT THEY HEARD THE AIRCRAFT CIRCLE OVERHEAD BEFORE IT CRASHED, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO SEE THE PLANE DUE TO HEAVY FOG.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3957L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3957L-1983-03-22), registration cancelled 1983-03-22, S/N 17254126, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172G
- Registry model: [Cessna 172G](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172g) (registry code 2072420) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17254126
- Airframe hours: 1480
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300D 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: John Mieman
- Registered owner: John Mieman
- Departed: MYRTLE BEACH, SC
- Destination: LIVERPOOL, OH

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, invalid medical for flight; flight hours: 729 total, 589 as pilot in command, 27 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 5 knots
- Temperature: 160 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19821008051869A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19821008051869A), Oct 8, 1982: Cessna 172G, Boones Mill, VA, Substantial damage. Non instrument rated pilot flew into mountain at 3000 foot elevation during cruise flight in clouds.

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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