# NTSB MIA89FA219: Cessna 177RG, N1976Q, Janice, MS, August 14, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 13, 1989, 21:26 local (Aug 14, 1989, 02:26 UTC)
- Place: Janice, MS
- Coordinates: 31.199352, -89.020904 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.1994&lon=-89.0209&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report June 25, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32306
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA89FA219
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32306/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA89FA219

## Probable cause

THE IN FLIGHT LOSS OF CONTROL BY THE NON INSTRUMENT RATED PILOT AFTER ENCOUNTERING INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS RESULTING IN THE AIRPLANE SPIRALING INTO A WOODED AREA.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, cruise - normal
  - light condition - night
  - weather condition - haze/smoke
  - vfr flight into imc - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - self-induced pressure, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of total instrument time, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - spiral - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - tree(s)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

THE FLT WAS OPERATING IN AN AREA OF REDUCED VISIBILITY DUE TO HAZE, OVER AN UNPOPULATED AREA, AT NIGHT. REVIEW OF RADAR DATA INDICATES THE NON-INSTRUMENT RATED PLT HAD DIFFICULTY MAINTAINING A CONSTANT HEADING AND ALTITUDE DURING THE 15 MINUTE FLT. AS THE PLT RECEIVED THE CURRENT RUNWAY AND ALTIMETER SETTING AT THE DESTINATION AIRPORT, THE AIRPLANE WAS OBSERVED TO MAKE A DESCENDING RIGHT TURN TO IMPACT WITH TREES AND THE TERRAIN. THE PLT HAD VOICED CONCERNS REGARDING THE HAZY CONDITIONS TO SEVERAL PEOPLE PRIOR TO THE FLT. THE PLT'S NIGHT CURRENCY AND TOTAL FLT EXPERIENCE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED FROM RECORDS. WEATHER INFORMATION LISTED ABOVE WAS AT A LOCATION 36 MILES FROM THE ACCIDENT SITE. PLTS FLYING IN THE VICINITY OF THE ACCIDENT SITE ESTIMATED VISIBILITY TO VARY BETWEEN 1 AND 2 MILES WITH FOG.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1976Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1976Q-1990-01-19), registration cancelled 1990-01-19, S/N 177RG0376 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 177RG
- Registry model: [Cessna 177RG](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-177rg) (registry code 2073709) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-360-A1B6D](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-360-a1b6d) (registry code 41593, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 177RG0396
- Airframe hours: 2346
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-A1B6D 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Institute Marine Mammal Studie
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 2, 1989, 26 hours before
- Departed: HBG, HATTIESBURG, MS
- Destination: GPT, GULFPORT, MS

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,200 total, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: GPT, 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 19890813028769A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890813028769A), Aug 13, 1989: Cessna 177RG, Janice, MS, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Encountered low visiibility at night en route with no ground reference lights, lost control and spiraled into trees

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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