# NTSB ATL91FAMS1: Cessna 172D, N2165Y, Missing (Atlantic Ocean), January 7, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Missing aircraft · Final report
- Date: January 7, 1991, 17:21 local (22:21 UTC)
- Place: Missing (Atlantic Ocean)
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report November 17, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8338
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL91FAMS1
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8338/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL91FAMS1

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S CONTINUATION OF VISUAL FLIGHT INTO INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS WHICH RESULTED IN SPATIAL DISORIENTATION AND A LOSS OF AIRCRAFT CONTROL. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO OBTAIN A WEATHER BRIEFING BEFORE DEPARTURE, THE ADVERSE WEATHER AND LIGHT CONDITIONS, AND THE PILOT'S LACK OF INSTRUMENT FLYING EXPERIENCE.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - clouds (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - continued, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, cruise
  - light condition - dusk (contributing factor)
  - aircraft control - uncontrolled, pilot in command (cause)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total instrument time, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THERE IS NO RECORD OF THE PILOT RECEIVING A WEATHER BRIEFING BEFORE DEPARTING SOUTHPORT, NC.  ABOUT 35 MINUTES AFTER DEPARTING SOUTHPORT, THE PILOT CONTACTED WILMINGTON APPROACH CONTROL STATING HE WAS UNSURE OF HIS POSITION, WAS IN INSTRUMENT METEOROLIGICAL CONDITIONS, WAS NOT QUALIFIED AS AN INSTRUMENT PILOT, AND REQUESTED WEATHER INFORMATION. WILMINGTON APPROACH ATTEMPTED TO VECTOR THE AIRPLANE TO WILMINGTON AIRPORT.  AT 1721 RADAR AND RADIO COMMUNICATION WERE LOST.  THERE WAS A FRONTAL SYSTEM IN THE AREA AT THE TIME WHICH CONTAINED SIGNIFICANT CONVECTIVE ACTIVITY AND EXTENSIVE RAIN.  AIRCRAFT DAMAGE AND INJURIES ARE PRESUMED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2165Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2165Y-1992-05-13), registration cancelled 1992-05-13, S/N 17249665 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172D
- Registry model: [Cessna 172D](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172d) (registry code 2072410) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17249665
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: In-Flight
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Vernon, Jesse H.
- Registered owner: Vernon, Jesse H.
- Departed: SUT, SOUTHPORT, NC
- Destination: N59, CAROLINA BEACH, NC

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 319 total, 238 in this make and model, 210 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Dusk
- Wind: 20° at 14 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 600 ft broken
- Observed at: ILM, 40 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 19910107000699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910107000699A), Jan 7, 1991: Cessna 172D, NC, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Departed in deteriorating weather. Contacted ATC. In IMC needed help. Last contact over ocean off southport NC.

## Other investigations on N2165Y (1)

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.

- [NTSB NYC75DHJ08](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC75DHJ08), Aug 11, 1974: Cessna 172 (N2165Y), Montauk, NY, substantial damage

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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