# NTSB ATL84FA274: Cessna 402C, N55LP, Albertville, AL, August 31, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 31, 1984, 08:10 local (13:10 UTC)
- Place: Albertville, AL
- Coordinates: 34.259883, -86.199264 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.2599&lon=-86.1993&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6298
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL84FA274
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6298/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL84FA274

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, approach - faf/outer marker to threshold (ifr)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (cause)
  - minimum descent altitude - exceeded, pilot in command (cause)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - decision height - disregarded, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - uncontrolled, pilot in command (cause)
  - ifr procedure - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

PLT WAS EXECUTING AN NON-DIRECTIONAL BEACON APPROACH TO RWY 23. INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS PREVAILED AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. RADAR INFORMATION OBTAINED DURING THE INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE PLT DID NOT STABILIZE THE AIRSPEED WHILE EXECUTING THE APPROACH. WITNESSES NEAR THE ACCIDENT SITE INDICATED THEY HAD HEARD A LOW FLYING ACFT AT THE APRX TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. THE WRECKAGE PATH REVEALED A GRADUAL DESCENT SWATH IN THE TREES WHICH TERMINATED WITH GROUND IMPACT. WITNESSES NEAR THE ARPT STATED THAT THE ARPT WAS OBSCURED BY FOG.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N55LP](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N55LP-1984-11-07), registration cancelled 1984-11-07, S/N 402C0102 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 402C
- Registry model: [Cessna 402C](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-402c) (registry code 207590R) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 402C0102
- Airframe hours: 5319
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520-VB 325 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Peterson Industries
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, June 11, 1984, 54 hours before
- Departed: 5M5, DECATUR, AR
- Destination: 8A0, ALBERTVILLE, AL
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: 8A0, Albertville Municipal, runway 23, 4,800 × 80 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 60; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 7,500 total, 400 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Dawn
- Wind: 0° at 4 knots
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: HSV, 35 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 19840831045129A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840831045129A), Aug 31, 1984: Cessna 402C, Albertville, AL, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Went below minimum descent altitude without landing minimum, off final approach course, impacted trees.

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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