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NTSB Report
March 20, 1982 · Cessna 172N · N738QS
Francisco, NC
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 20, 1982
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Francisco, NC
Aircraft
Cessna 172N
Tail Number
N738QS
Operator
Howard Leslee Hall
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
ATL82FA080
THE NON-INSTRUMENT RATED PILOT RECEIVED A PARTIAL WEATHER BRIEFING BY TELEPHONE, BUT HUNG UP WHEN HE OBTAINED THE INFORMATION THAT HE REQUESTED. FBO PERSONNEL STATED THAT HE LOOKED AND ACTED TIRED BEFORE TAKING OFF AT 0022 EST. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE PLANE WAS REPORTED AS MISSING. AN AIRBORNE SEARCH WAS STARTED AT 0700 AND THE PLANE WAS FOUND AT 0730. A LOCAL RESIDENT HAD HEARD A CRASH AT ABOUT 0100, BUT HE THOUGHT IT WAS AN AUTOMOBILE ON A NEARBY ROAD. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THERE WERE LOW CEILINGS WITH FOG AND HAZE IN THE AREA. AN EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE REVEALEDTHAT THE PLANE HAD CRASHED IN A STEEP DIVE.
Full Narrative
THE NON-INSTRUMENT RATED PILOT RECEIVED A PARTIAL WEATHER BRIEFING BY TELEPHONE, BUT HUNG UP WHEN HE OBTAINED THE INFORMATION THAT HE REQUESTED. FBO PERSONNEL STATED THAT HE LOOKED AND ACTED TIRED BEFORE TAKING OFF AT 0022 EST. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE PLANE WAS REPORTED AS MISSING. AN AIRBORNE SEARCH WAS STARTED AT 0700 AND THE PLANE WAS FOUND AT 0730. A LOCAL RESIDENT HAD HEARD A CRASH AT ABOUT 0100, BUT HE THOUGHT IT WAS AN AUTOMOBILE ON A NEARBY ROAD. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THERE WERE LOW CEILINGS WITH FOG AND HAZE IN THE AREA. AN EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE REVEALEDTHAT THE PLANE HAD CRASHED IN A STEEP DIVE.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time01:00 EST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftCessna 172N
Tail NumberN738QS
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorHoward Leslee Hall
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-H2AD · Reciprocating · 160
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 37 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsIMC
LightDark Night
Wind60° @ 7 kt
Visibility3 sm
CeilingOvercast 500 ft
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time00:45