# NTSB MIA00LA028: Cessna 172N, N733AH, Defuniak Spgs, FL, November 22, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 22, 1999, 07:30 local (13:30 UTC) - Place: Defuniak Spgs, FL - Coordinates: 30.739486, -86.189636 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.7395&lon=-86.1896&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 22, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 47831 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA00LA028 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/47831/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA00LA028 ## Probable cause Was the pilot's failure to obtain a proper weather briefing resulting in his encounter with fog, his having to make a precautionary landing in a field when the aircraft became low on fuel, and the on ground collision with trees during landing roll. ## 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 - fog - preflight briefing service - not used, pilot in command (cause) - weather evaluation - improper, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water collision with object, landing - fluid,fuel - low level - precautionary landing - performed, pilot in command - weather condition - tailwind - proper touchdown point - not attained, pilot in command - object - tree(s) ## Analysis Prior to departure the pilot checked the weather on television. Upon arriving at his destination, he found the airport fogged in. He diverted to another airport and it was also fogged in. He returned to his departure airport and found it fogged in. He flew southeast from his departure airport and found a break in the fog. Because he was getting low on fuel, he elected to make a precautionary landing in a field. While landing, he landed downwind, and floated over his intended landing point. After touch down, the aircraft rolled into some brush and trees and was damaged. ## Factual narrative On November 22, 1999, about 0730 central standard time, a Cessna 172N, N733AH, registered to an individual, collided with brush and trees while making a precautionary landing in a field near Defuniak Springs, Florida, while on a Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The aircraft received substantial damage and the private-rated pilot was not injured. The flight originated from Geneva, Alabama, the same day, about 0700. The pilot stated that after reviewing the weather on the weather channel, he departed on a local flight with his wife to perform several touch-and-go landings at the Geneva Airport. His wife then got out of the aircraft and he departed for Elba, Alabama, where he intended to purchase fuel for the aircraft. Upon arriving over Elba, he found the airport fogged in. He then diverted to Enterprise, Alabama, and found that airport fogged in. He then decided to return to Geneva. Upon arriving over Geneva, he found that airport also fogged in. He then made contact with controllers at Cairns Army Airfield, after having relayed his problem, via another aircraft, to controllers at Columbus, Georgia. He flew southeast of Geneva and encountered a clear area. He was getting low on fuel and elected to make a precautionary landing in a field, and he informed the controllers of this. Upon landing, he landed downwind and the aircraft floated over the intended landing point. The aircraft then touched down and rolled into heavy brush and trees and came to rest. The aircraft's wings contacted trees during landing roll and received substantial damage. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N733AH](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N733AH), registered now, S/N 17268141 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172N - Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17268141 - Airframe hours: 4249 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Charles W. Blakeney - Registered owner: Tom Motley - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 23, 1999, 170 hours before - Departed: 33J, GENEVA, AL - Destination: 14J, ELBA, AL ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 49; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 197 total, 108 in this make and model, 123 as pilot in command, 47 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 50° at 6 knots - Visibility: 1.5 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 59 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: DHN, 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 19991122040229A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19991122040229A), Nov 22, 1999: Cessna 172N, Defuniak Spgs, FL, Substantial damage. (.4) Prior to departure the pilot checked the weather on television. Upon arriving at his destination, he found the airport fogged in. He diverted to another… 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.