# NTSB ATL85FA060: Cessna 172, N4093F, Hamilton, AL, December 20, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: December 19, 1984, 20:15 local (Dec 20, 1984, 02:15 UTC)
- Place: Hamilton, AL
- Coordinates: 34.140003, -87.979721 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.1400&lon=-87.9797&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 2 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6584
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL85FA060
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6584/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL85FA060

## 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)
  - flight into known adverse weather - continued, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - self-induced pressure, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total instrument time, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - clearance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - tree(s)
  - misc eqpt/furnishings,seat belt - failure,total

## Analysis

INITIATED NIGHT FLT INTO AREA OF FORECAST AND OBSERVED MARGINAL VFR CONDITIONS. EXPECTED TO ENCOUNTER 1200 FT CEILING. PLT STATED TO FSS BRIEFER HE WOULD GO AS FAR AS HE COULD. ENCOUNTERED AREA OF PATCHY GRND FOG, REDUCED VISIBILITY, NO HORIZON AHEAD. ELECTED TO DESCEND TO 1000 FT MSL AND INITIATE A 180 DEG TURN. STRUCK TREES AT 750 FT MSL. PLT HAD NO ACTUAL INSTRUMENT TRAINING AND APRX 5 HRS OF SIMULATED INSTRUMENT TIME. THE OUTBOARD REAR SEATBELT ATTACHMENT RING ORIENTED REARWARD, FAILED IN BENDING ALLOWING THE REAR SEAT PAX TO BE EJECTED FROM THE ACFT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4093F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4093F-1991-02-01), registration cancelled 1991-02-01, S/N 36993 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- Registry model: [Cessna 172](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172) (registry code 2072402) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 36993
- Airframe hours: 2050
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300-A 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Musketeers, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 1, 1984, 150 hours before
- Departed: 47A, CANTON, GA
- Destination: HAB, HAMILTON, AL
- Airport: HAB, Marion County

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 195 total, 123 in this make and model, 152 as pilot in command, 36 in the last 90 days, 13 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: calm

## 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 19841219067839A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19841219067839A), Dec 19, 1984: Cessna 172, Hamilton, AL, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Flew into area of lowering ceiling and visibility. Impacted trees attempting a course reversal to better weather.

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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