# NTSB MIA80FA035: Cessna 172RG, N6265R, Palm Bay, FL, February 18, 1980

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: February 18, 1980
- Place: Palm Bay, FL · PALM BAY, FL
- Location: 28.0345° N, 80.5887° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Palm Bay, FL, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.0345&lon=-80.5887&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report June 11, 1980
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 134888
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA80FA035
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA80FA035

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-0984  80/2/18  NR.PALM BAY,FL        CESSNA 172RG        CR-  1  0  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 41, 1000
        TIME - 2340                    N6265R              PX-  0  0  1  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 7 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          FT.PIERCE,FL                GAINESVILLE,FL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLIDED WITH: TREES                                     IN FLIGHT: NORMAL CRUISE
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - CONTINUED VFR FLIGHT INTO ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS
        FACTOR(S)
           WEATHER - LOW CEILING
           WEATHER - RAIN
        WEATHER BRIEFING - UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED
        WEATHER FORECAST - UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED
        SKY CONDITION                                            CEILING AT ACCIDENT SITE
          OVERCAST                                                 UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED
        VISIBILITY AT ACCIDENT SITE                              PRECIPITATION AT ACCIDENT SITE
          UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED                                     RAIN
        OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION AT ACCIDENT SITE                  TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS
          UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED                                     IFR
        TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          NONE
         FIRE AFTER IMPACT
        REMARKS- PAX STATED HEAVY RAIN & OVERCAST SKY CONDITIONS AT ACCIDENT SITE.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6265R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6265R-2013-04-29), registration cancelled 2013-04-29, S/N 172RG0127, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172RG
- Registry model: [Cessna 172RG](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172rg) (registry code 2072438) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed

## 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 19800218003559A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19800218003559A), Feb 18, 1980: Cessna 172RG, Palm Bay, FL, Destroyed. VFR pilot encountered heavy rain en route. Dark night. Lost ground reference. Hit tree. VFR flight not advised.

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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