# NTSB MIA89FA090: Cessna 172, N3937F, Blue Mountain, MS, February 20, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: February 19, 1989, 19:15 local (Feb 20, 1989, 01:15 UTC)
- Place: Blue Mountain, MS
- Coordinates: 34.670543, -89.020957 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.6705&lon=-89.0210&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report March 12, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32274
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA89FA090
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32274/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA89FA090

## Probable cause

THE CONTINUATION OF A VFR FLIGHT INTO NIGHT, INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS AND THE SPATIAL DISORIENTATION OF THE NON-INSTRUMENT RATED PILOT. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS AND THE OVERCONFIDENCE OF THE PILOT.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise
  - light condition - night (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - drizzle/mist (contributing factor)
  - flight into known adverse weather - attempted, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - continued, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, cruise
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE NON-INST RATED PLT & HIS WIFE LANDED SHORT OF THEIR DEST DUE TO ADVERSE WX DURING DAYLIGHT HRS. HE ELECTED TO CONTINUE THE FLT AFTER DARK IN WORSENING WX IN SPITE OF BEING ADVISED BY A PLT WHO HAD JUST FLOWN THE ROUTE THAT THE WX WAS NOT GOOD & THE WIFE BEGGING HIM NOT TO CONTINUE. THE WRECKAGE WAS LOCATED 2 DAYS LATER WHERE IT HAD CRASHED IN A STEEP NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE INTO A SPARSELY POPULATED, RURAL, WOODED AREA. A WITNESS LOCATED ABOUT 9 MILES FROM THE CRASH SITE HAD OBSERVED AN ACFT FLYING AT ABOUT 200 FEET IN THE DIRECTION OF THE CRASH SITE, ALONG HWY 78, AT ABOUT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. THE PLT HAD LESS THAN 1 HR SIMULATED INSTRUMENT FLT TIME & NONE SINCE HE TOOK HIS PVT FLT TEST ABOUT 18 MONTHS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3937F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3937F-2014-10-06), registration cancelled 2014-10-06, S/N 36837, built 1958 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- Registry model: [Cessna 172](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172) (registry code 2072402) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 36837
- Airframe hours: 2360
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300A 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Patrick E. Long
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 31, 1988, 43 hours before
- Departed: TUP, TUPELO, MS
- Destination: MO1, MEMPHIS, TN

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 163 total, 136 in this make and model, 2 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 150° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,400 ft overcast
- Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: TUP, 36 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 19890219002319A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890219002319A), Feb 19, 1989: Cessna STC172, Blue Mountain, MS, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Lost control and crashed in wooded area. Tried to follow highway in low clouds rain and fog. Gryo horizon was caged

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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