# NTSB ATL87FA235: Cessna 172A, N7559T, Camilia, GA, August 19, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 19, 1987, 09:25 local (13:25 UTC)
- Place: Camilia, GA
- Coordinates: 31.220664, -84.210899 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.2207&lon=-84.2109&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report February 14, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7313
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL87FA235
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7313/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL87FA235

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, maneuvering
  - weather evaluation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - preflight briefing service - not obtained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - vfr flight into imc - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - emergency procedure - not used, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THIS FLT HAD BEEN DELAYED SEVERAL DAYS DUE TO POOR WEATHER IN THE AREA. ON THE DAY OF THE FLT THE PLT WAITED UNTIL THE LOCAL AREA FOG HAD DISSIPATED BEFORE DEPARTING THE PRIVATE AIR STRIP. THE ACFT WAS HEARD ABOVE THE CLOUDS ABOUT FIVE MILES FROM THE CRASH SITE. WITNESSES AT THE CRASH SITE ALSO REPORTED HEARING THE AIRCRAFT CIRCLING OVERHEAD. ONLY ONE OF THEM GOT A GLIMPSE OF IT JUST ABOVE THE TOPS OF THE TREES. CLOUDS WERE AT TREE TOP HEIGHT IN THE AREA. THE ACFT WAS IN ITS THIRD CIRCLE WHEN IT STRUCK THE GROUND AND A FENCE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7559T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7559T-1989-01-30), registration cancelled 1989-01-30, S/N 47159 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172A
- Registry model: [Cessna 172A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172a) (registry code 2072404) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 47159
- Airframe hours: 4514
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300C 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: C.C.Mc Connell
- Registered owner: Charles W Allen
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 19, 1987, 20 hours before
- Departed: CAMILIA, GA
- Destination: AAF, APALACHICOLA, FL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 65; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 117 total, 44 in this make and model, 35 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 250° at 8 knots
- Lowest ceiling: 250 ft broken
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 75 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ABY, 30 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 19870819046799A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870819046799A), Aug 19, 1987: Cessna 172A, Camilia, GA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. VFR pilot lost control of aircraft in heavy fog and collided with the ground on a farm. Not weather briefed.

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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