# NTSB MIA82DA111: Cessna 172N, N5186D, Near Westbay, FL, April 18, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: April 17, 1982, 20:24 local (Apr 18, 1982, 02:24 UTC)
- Place: Near Westbay, FL
- Coordinates: 30.16991, -85.669822 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.1699&lon=-85.6698&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed, report April 17, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 71949
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA82DA111
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/71949/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA82DA111

## 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 - fog (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - haze/smoke (contributing factor)
  - flight into known adverse weather - continued, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, cruise - normal
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - aircraft handling - uncontrolled, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total instrument time, pilot in command (cause)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

DURING THE WX BRIEFING THE PLT WAS ADVISED THAT VFR FLT WAS NOT RECOMMENDED DUE TO LOW CEILINGS & VISBILITIES JUST EAST OF PANAMA CITY & ALONG THE GULF COAST. AT 2015, APPROXIMATELY 28 MI SE OF DESTIN, THE PLT CONTACTED EGLIN APPROACH CONTROL(A/C) & WAS ADVISED THAT EGLIN A/C HAD NO WX CAPABILITY FOR DESTIN. SHORTLY THEREAFTER THE PLT WAS ADVISED THAT THE EGLIN CONTROL ZONE WAS IFR & WAS ASKED IF HE WAS IFR QUALIFIED. THE PLT STATED HE WAS NOT. THERE WERE NO FURTHER COMMUNICATIONS WITH THE PLT. THE ACFT THEN APPEARED TO BE IN AN ORBIT, & A FEW MINUTES LATER RADAR CONTACT WAS LOST. ON 4/27/82 THE PLT'S BODY WASHED ASHORE ON THE GULF COAST IN THE VICINTIY OF THE ACFT'S LAST KNOWN POSITION. THE WRECKAGE WAS NOT RECOVERED & THE TWO PAX ARE MISSING & PRESUMED FATAL. THE PLT HAD RECEIVED HIS PRIVATE PLT CERTIFICATE ON 4/3/82.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5186D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5186D-2014-12-17), registration cancelled 2014-12-17, S/N 17272442, built 1979 (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: 17272442
- Airframe hours: 293
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: Unknown
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Morris A. Frazier
- Registered owner: Morris A. Frazier
- Departed: OCALA, FL
- Destination: DESTIN, FL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 72 total, 17 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 210° at 2 knots
- Temperature: 160 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: VPS, 27 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 19820417013719A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820417013719A), Apr 17, 1982: Cessna 172N, Westbay, FL, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Pilot continued into weather, lost control of aircraft. Aircraft and 2 bodies were not recovered from gulf.

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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