# NTSB ATL88FA231: Cessna 172, N65790, Adel, GA, August 17, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 17, 1988, 02:50 local (06:50 UTC)
- Place: Adel, GA
- Coordinates: 31.129121, -83.420356 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.1291&lon=-83.4204&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report January 4, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7620
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL88FA231
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7620/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL88FA231

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, approach
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - continued, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather evaluation - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, approach
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - guy wire (contributing factor)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT HAD BEEN BRIEFED ON THE WEATHER CONDITIONS ALONG THE INTENDED ROUTE OF FLIGHT. VFR FLIGHT WAS NOT RECOMMENDED. THE PILOT ELECTED TO LAND AT HIS ALTERNATE, AND HAD REPORTED VISUAL CONTACT. LOCAL WITNESSES REPORTED LOW CEILINGS AND REDUCED VISIBILITY. THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH A TV/RADIO TOWER GUY WIRE. THE TOWER FELL ON THE TRANSMITTER BUILDING. THE AIRPLANE CRASHED IN AN OPEN FIELD AND BURNED. THE TOWER WAS EQUIPPED WITH A FLASHING STROBE LIGHT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N65790 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17275889
- Airframe hours: 1634
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D2J 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Air Valdosta, Inc.
- Registered owner: Air Valdosta Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 2, 1988, 80 hours before
- Departed: AUGUSTA, GA
- Destination: VLD, VALDOSTA, GA
- Airport: Cook County, runway 5, 4,000 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 71 total, 29 in this make and model, 17 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 40° at 3 knots
- Lowest ceiling: 700 ft broken
- Temperature: 73 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: VLD, 35 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 19880817033489A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880817033489A), Aug 17, 1988: Cessna 172P, Adel, GA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Trying to fly under low ceiling and visibility struck tv tower, crashed and burned. VFR flight was not recommended

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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