# NTSB ATL85FA041: Cessna 172K, N46537, Lineville, AL, November 19, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: November 19, 1984, 14:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: Lineville, AL
- Coordinates: 33.309379, -85.749923 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.3094&lon=-85.7499&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 2 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6577
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL85FA041
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6577/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL85FA041

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather evaluation - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - ifr procedure - continued, pilot in command (cause)
  - self-induced pressure, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - mountain wave (cause)
- In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - tree(s)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly

## Analysis

PLT OBTAINED 2 WX BRIEFINGS STATING VFR FLIGHT NOT RECOMMENDED ALONG INTENDED ROUTE. PLT REQUESTED LOCAL WX ONLY DURING 3RD WX BRIEFING. REPORTING STATIONS UPWIND AND DOWNWIND OF MOUNTAINS WERE FORECASTING CEILINGS TO BE BELOW MOUNTAIN TOPS. ROUTE OF FLT WAS TO NW. WINDS ALOFT FORECASTED WINDS FROM 290 DEG AT 16 DTS FOR 3000 FT AND FROM 270 DEG AT 27 DTS FOR 6000 FT. PLT STATED ALT AND HEADING WERE VARIED TO REMAIN VFR. WITH WHISPY CLOUDS BELOW, PLT STATED CLEAR AIR TURBULENCE AND A DOWNDRAFT WAS ENCOUNTERED. PLT UNABLE TO CONTROL ACFT BEFORE CONTACTING TREES AT THE 1900 FT LEVEL ON THE SE SIDE OF MT. CHEHA. THE MOUNTAIN RIDGE ELEVATION IS APRX 2100 FT. FAMILY WAS FLYING TO MILITARY GRADUATION OF THE WIFES SON.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N46537 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172K
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17257336
- Airframe hours: 6496
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Orlando Navy Flying Club
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, October 27, 1984, 10 hours before
- Departed: ABY, ALBANY, GA
- Destination: ANB, ANNISTON, AL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 278 total, 122 in this make and model, 214 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 900 ft overcast
- Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ANB, 8 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 19841119062559A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19841119062559A), Nov 19, 1984: Cessna 172K, Lineville, AL, Destroyed. Collided with trees in area of rising terrain in IFR conditions. Pilot reported turbulence a factor.

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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