# NTSB ATL90FA008: Cessna 172N, N733WK, Eddyville, KY, October 16, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: October 16, 1989, 12:15 local (17:15 UTC)
- Place: Eddyville, KY
- Coordinates: 37.07098, -88.069931 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.0710&lon=-88.0699&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report September 30, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8100
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL90FA008
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8100/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL90FA008

## Probable cause

THE PILOT CONTINUING VFR FLIGHT INTO ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS. CONTRIBUTING FACTOR(S) WAS: LOW CEILING AND RAIN.

## 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 - rain (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - continued, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - object - tower(marked)

## Analysis

THE PILOT HAD RECEIVED THREE WEATHER BRIEFINGS PRIOR TO DEPARTING RED OAK; ALL BRIEFINGS CONCLUDED WITH A NO VISUAL FLIGHT RECOMMENDATION. WITNESSES OBSERVED THE AIRPLANE FLYING LOW ALONG A PARKWAY BENEATH THE CLOUDS JUST PRIOR TO THE COLLISION WITH A RADIO TOWER AT 230 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N733WK](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N733WK-1990-08-10), registration cancelled 1990-08-10, S/N 17268605 (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: 172-68265
- Airframe hours: 1938
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Red Oak Aviation Club, Inc.
- Registered owner: Red Oak Aviation Club, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 31, 1988, 8 hours before
- Departed: RED OAK, IA
- Destination: NASHVILLE, TN

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 380 total, 340 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 190° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 800 ft overcast
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: PAH

## 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 19891016040719A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19891016040719A), Oct 16, 1989: Cessna 172N, Eddyville, KY, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Struck a radio tower and crashed while following a tollway under low clouds and heavy rain. Was advised not to go.

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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