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NTSB Report
January 9, 1991 · Cessna 182N · N69UU
La Belle, FL
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
January 9, 1991
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
La Belle, FL
Aircraft
Cessna 182N
Tail Number
N69UU
Operator
Smith Gregory H
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
MIA91LA063
THE PLT DID NOT OBTAIN A WX BRIEFING FOR A NIGHT CROSS COUNTRY FLT. HIS CHARTS & AIRPORT FACILITY DIRECTORY (AFD) WERE IN HIS BRIEFCSE IN THE BACK SEAT. THE FLT DEPARTED & ABOUT 8 MILES WEST OF THE DEPARTURE ARPT, ENCOUNTERED FOG. THE PLT BECAME DISORIENTED & LOST. HE OBTAINED THE AFD, ENTERED THE COORDINATES INTO HIS LORAN RECEIVER; WHICH INDICATED THE ACFT WAS 26 MILES SOUTHEAST. HE INITIATED A TURN TO RETURN & WHILE CALLING HIS INSTRUCTOR VIA A PORTABLE TELEPHONE TO OBTAIN CURRENT WX CONDITIONS, 'LOST TRACK OF ALTITUDE, MISREAD ALTIMITER'. THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH TREES. THE ACFT CAUGHT FIRE WHILE HE WAS ATTEMPTING TO RECOVER HIS BRIEFCASE. THE PLT STATED THERE WAS NO ENGINE MALFUNCTION.
NTSB Probable Cause
THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ALTITUDE. A FACTOR WAS THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO OBTAIN A WEATHER FORECAST.
Full Narrative
THE PLT DID NOT OBTAIN A WX BRIEFING FOR A NIGHT CROSS COUNTRY FLT. HIS CHARTS & AIRPORT FACILITY DIRECTORY (AFD) WERE IN HIS BRIEFCSE IN THE BACK SEAT. THE FLT DEPARTED & ABOUT 8 MILES WEST OF THE DEPARTURE ARPT, ENCOUNTERED FOG. THE PLT BECAME DISORIENTED & LOST. HE OBTAINED THE AFD, ENTERED THE COORDINATES INTO HIS LORAN RECEIVER; WHICH INDICATED THE ACFT WAS 26 MILES SOUTHEAST. HE INITIATED A TURN TO RETURN & WHILE CALLING HIS INSTRUCTOR VIA A PORTABLE TELEPHONE TO OBTAIN CURRENT WX CONDITIONS, 'LOST TRACK OF ALTITUDE, MISREAD ALTIMITER'. THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH TREES. THE ACFT CAUGHT FIRE WHILE HE WAS ATTEMPTING TO RECOVER HIS BRIEFCASE. THE PLT STATED THERE WAS NO ENGINE MALFUNCTION.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time01:00 EST
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionGrd
Aircraft
AircraftCessna 182N
Tail NumberN69UU
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorSmith Gregory H
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-470-R · Reciprocating · 230
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 36 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsIMC
LightDark Night
Wind50° @ 8 kt
Visibility7 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 500 ft
Temperature / Dew Point70 F / 66 F
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time05:50
Weather SourceWFAC