# NTSB ATL85FA071: Cessna 172N, N6527D, Dothan, AL, December 30, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: December 29, 1984, 23:15 local (Dec 30, 1984, 05:15 UTC)
- Place: Dothan, AL
- Location: 31.0561° N, 85.1614° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs from NTSB’s distance and direction from DOTHAN RGNL (DHN), within about 8 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.0561&lon=-85.1614&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6589
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL85FA071
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6589/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL85FA071

## 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)
  - terrain condition - open field
  - flight into known adverse weather - intentional, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - below approach/landing minimums (contributing factor)
  - weather evaluation - disregarded, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - self-induced pressure, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - obscuration (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - light condition - night
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - decision height - below, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper alignment - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper glidepath - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - decision height - delayed, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT, WHO WAS ALSO AN ATC SPECIALIST ASSIGNED TO A FSS, CRASHED SHORT OF THE RWY DURING AN ATTEMPTED ILS APCH. WHE WX CONDITIONS WERE BELOW APCH MINIMUMS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6527D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6527D-1985-06-21), registration cancelled 1985-06-21, S/N 17272847 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172N
- Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17272847
- Airframe hours: 739
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Modlin Flying Service, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 10, 1984, 49 hours before
- Departed: MVC, MONROEVILLE, AL
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: DHN, Dothan, runway 31, 8,498 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,420 total, 1,100 in this make and model, 1,231 as pilot in command, 35 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 220° at 16 knots
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: DHN, 25 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 19841229069469A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19841229069469A), Dec 29, 1984: Cessna 172N, Dothan, AL, Substantial damage. Shot ILS approach, weather below landing minimums. Delayed missed approach, flew into ground just short of runway.

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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