Cessna 172P N62145

Summary

On 31 December 1996 at about 06:13 local time, a Cessna 172P registered N62145 was involved in an accident near Atlanta, Georgia, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 were seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

31 December 1996 at 06:13

Classification

Accident

Location

Atlanta, Georgia, United States

Nearest airport

Fulton County-Brown Field (FTY)

Coordinates

33.7397, -84.5695

Aircraft

Cessna 172P

Registration

N62145

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Birmingham → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

Unk

Light

Night/Dark

NTSB number

MIA97LA051

2 people were seriously injured.

failure of the pilot to initiate an immediate climb (go-around or missed approach) after encountering fog, while on final approach to land. Darkness and fog at the end of the runway were related factors.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot was cleared for an ILS localizer approach at night to runway 8, & he was advised of the weather, which was in part: 200' scattered, 3200' broken, temperature & dew point 16 degrees, wind calm, visibility west through northeast 1/4 mile. The pilot reported that during the approach, his instrument panel lights were inoperative. However, he continued the approach using his dome light to illuminate his instruments. He reported that he was unable to see the runway lights. The controller vectored the flight for another approach, & advised the pilot to activate the runway lights by keying his radio on the common traffic advisory frequency (CTAF), which the pilot accomplished. The pilot then advised the controller that the runway was in sight, & he would circle back & return to land. The controller cleared the flight for a visual approach to the runway. Before landing, the pilot was advised of dense fog at the approach end of runway 8. The pilot replied that the runway was in sight. As the airplane was on short final, a weather observer saw the airplane enter an area of dense fog, but didn't see it on the landing roll. A search was initiated & the airplane was found where it impacted an upslope embankment about 200 yards short of the runway.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.