# NTSB FTW82FPJ14: Cessna 172N, N5608J, Hulen, OK, March 17, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: March 17, 1982, 09:41 local (15:41 UTC)
- Place: Hulen, OK
- Location: 34.5040° N, 98.2214° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Hulen, OK, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.5040&lon=-98.2214&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report March 17, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 69194
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW82FPJ14
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/69194/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW82FPJ14

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - continued, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent
  - terrain condition - open field (contributing factor)
  - altitude - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT DEPARTED LAWTON, OKLAHOMA AT 0902 LOCAL TIME ON A FLIGHT TO INSPECT MINERAL PROPERTY. AT ABOUT 0931, THE PILOT CONTACTED FT. SILL APPROACH CONTROL AND REQUESTED VECTORS TO LAWTON. HE WAS INSTRUCTED TO FLY A HEADING OF 320 DEGREES. AFTER FLYING THAT HEADING FOR ABOUT SIX MILES. THE PILOT ASKED FOR AND WAS GIVEN THE FT. SILL WEATHER. SHORTLY AFTER THAT, THE AIRCRAFT ENTERED A RIGHT TURN TO A SOUTHERLY HEADING. WHEN QUERIED, THE PILOT REPLIED HE WAS IN VFR CONDITIONS AND TURNED INTENTIONALLY. EARLIER, THE RADAR CONTROLLER HAD RECEIVED REPORTS OF A SCUD LAYER SOUTHEAST OF LAWTON AND ASSUMED THE PILOT WAS VFR ON TOP. THE CONTROLLER PROVIDED A HEADING OF 260 DEGREES AND ADVISED THIS SHOULD TAKE HIM INTO A CLEAR AREA. AT 0941, THE AIRCRAFT RETURN DISAPPEARED FROM THE RADAR SCOPE. THE PLANE CRASHED SOUTHEAST OF LAWTON IN A WHEAT FIELD ON LEVEL TERRAIN. IT TRAVELED ABOUT 300 FT AFTER IMPACT. AN OBSERVER ON A RESCUE HELICOPTER REPORTED A CEILING OF 100 TO 300 FT AND VISIBILITY OF 1/4 TO 1/2 MILE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5608J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5608J-1985-10-02), registration cancelled 1985-10-02, S/N 17273820 (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: 17273820
- Airframe hours: 690
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Jas Wurman
- Registered owner: Jas Wurman
- Departed: LAWTON, OK
- Destination: LAWTON, OK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 73; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 918 total, 6 in this make and model, 836 as pilot in command, 11 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 0 statute miles
- Temperature: 147 °F, dew point 32 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19820317004439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820317004439A), Mar 17, 1982: Cessna 172N, Hulen, OK, Destroyed. Was VFR on top. Angle of descent impact indicates pilot entered undercast and lost control of aircraft.

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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