# NTSB ATL84LA176: Cessna 172N, N734ZP, Leeds, AL, May 20, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 20, 1984, 11:40 local (16:40 UTC)
- Place: Leeds, AL
- Coordinates: 33.539142, -86.559288 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.5391&lon=-86.5593&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 3 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6460
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL84LA176
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6460/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL84LA176

## Sequence of events

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

- Miscellaneous/other, cruise
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command
  - qualification, pilot in command
  - aircraft handling - not maintained, pilot in command
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - anxiety/apprehension, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - incapacitation(loss of consciousness), pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - precautionary landing - attempted, pilot in command
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

THE PLT MADE A FLT OF ABOUT 30 MIN TO PRACTICE LANDINGS, THEN LANDED TO PICK UP 2 PASSENGERS. ABOUT 10 MIN AFTER TAKING OFF ON THE 2ND FLT, HE BEGAN HAVING SYMPTOMS OF A MEDICAL PROBLEM. HE SAID HE FELT HOT & THE AIR FELT STAGNANT & STALE. THE VENTS & A WINDOW WERE OPENED & HE BEGAN RETURNING TO THE ARPT. HE ATTEMPTED TO TUNE THE RADIO, BUT COULD NOT FIND THE FREQ. SEVERAL TIMES, HE BLACKED OUT & REGAINED CONSCIOUSNESS. A SHORT TIME BEFORE THE ACCIDENT, A WITNESS SAW THE ACFT FLYING VERY LOW. HE STATED THAT THE PLT WAS 'WORKING THE THROTTLE & DIPPING THE PLANE' BUT REPORTED THE ENG RAN SMOOTH AT HI & LOW POWER. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH TREES & CRASHED. ALL 3 OCCUPANTS WERE TRANSPORTED TO A HOSPITAL. THE PLT'S MEDICAL PROBLEM WAS DIAGNOSED AS VASOVAGAL SYNCOPE. REPORTEDLY, SIMILAR EPISODES BEGAN WHEN THE PLT WAS 14 TO 15 YRS OLD & THE EPISODES HAD BEEN ASSOCIATED WITH EXTREME NERVOUSNESS, SWEATING & PALPITATIONS. THE PLT'S MEDICAL CERTIFICATE WAS DATED 3/3/82.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N734ZP](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N734ZP-2014-11-17), registration cancelled 2014-11-17, S/N 17269247, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172N
- Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17269247
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Dunston, Wayne N.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: BHM, BIRMINGHAM, AL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 25; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, expired; seat: left

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: BHM, 10 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 19840520017729A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840520017729A), May 20, 1984: Cessna 172N, Leeds, AL, Substantial damage. Observed buzzing area. Crashed into tree tops. Reported illness, none found. Near empty whiskey bottle in wreckage.

## Other investigations on N734ZP (1)

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.

- [NTSB MIA77DLD05](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA77DLD05), Oct 22, 1977: Cessna 172 (N734ZP), Brooksville, FL, substantial damage

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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