# NTSB ATL84LA290: Globe GC-1B, N3754K, Rockwood, TN, May 29, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 29, 1984, 14:30 local (18:30 UTC)
- Place: Rockwood, TN
- Coordinates: 35.86993, -84.669799 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.8699&lon=-84.6698&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): 6546
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL84LA290
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6546/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL84LA290

## 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 - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather evaluation - inaccurate, pilot in command (cause)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather observation - initiated, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - terrain condition - rising (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT CRASHED IN AN AREA OF RISING TERRAIN AT ABOUT THE 1800 FT LEVEL. ABOUT 1 MILE AWAY THE RIDGE LINE ROSE TO AN ELEVATION OF 2500 FT. WHEN THE ACFT WAS OBSERVED OVERFLYING THE ROCKWOOD ARPT APRX 3 MILES FROM THE ACCIDENT SITE THE CEILING WAS ABOUT 1200 FT AND VISIBILITY ESTIMATED AT 3 MILES. THE ACFT WAS FLYING AT ABOUT 800 FT AGL ON A HEADING OF ABOUT 315 DEGREES. THE ACFT CRASHED ON A HEADING OF ABOUT 150 DEGREES IN A STEEP DESCENT. THE PLT HAD DELAYED HIS DEPARTURE BECAUSE OF THE WEATHER. WHEN HE DEPARTED HE TOLD HIS LISTENERS THAT THE WEATHER HAD IMPROVED SO IT WAS OK TO GO. THEY BELIEVED LATER THAT HE WAS REFERRING TO DESTINATION WEATHER AS THE EN ROUTE WEATHER STILL HAD NOT IMPROVED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3754K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3754K-1990-03-09), registration cancelled 1990-03-09, S/N 1447 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Globe GC-1B
- Registry model: [Globe GC-1B](https://openairdocs.org/model/globe-gc-1b) (registry code 9230104) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1447
- Airframe hours: 1217
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300-A 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Wilbert Gess
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 2, 1983
- Departed: ATHENS, TN
- Destination: CHAMPAIGN, TN

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 69; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 753 total, 5 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 320° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 300 ft overcast
- Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CSV, 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 19840529047429A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840529047429A), May 29, 1984: Univac GC1B, Rockwood, TN, Destroyed. Aircraft flew into rising terrain during attempted flight under low ceiling.

## Other investigations on N3754K (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 MKC74DCD12](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC74DCD12), Sep 2, 1973: Globe GC-1B (N3754K), Blakesburg, IA, 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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