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Missing Aircraft Found Crashed Near Pascagoula Airport (N80542)

Pascagoula, MS, US

On March 17, 1989, a Cessna 172M (registration N80542) was involved in an aviation accident near Pascagoula, MS. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: CONTINUED FLIGHT BY THE PILOT INTO INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS (IMC). CONTRIBUTING FACTORS WERE: INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PLANNING, WEATHER CONDITIONS, PILOT'S LACK OF INSTRUMENT FLIGHT TIME, LACK OF VISUAL CUES AT NIGHT, AND TREES AT THE CRASH SITE. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-07-04Data APIEditorial standards

An aircraft reported missing after a trip from New Orleans to Mobile was found crashed near Pascagoula, Mississippi. Weather was extremely foggy at the time. No mechanical issues were found. The pilot had limited experience and no instrument rating.

Discovery

An aircraft was reported missing after it failed to return to Mobile following a trip to New Orleans on March 16, 1989. The Civil Air Patrol initiated a search, and the aircraft was located on March 19, 1989, having crashed near the airport in Pascagoula, Mississippi.

Impact

Investigation revealed that initial impact occurred with trees approximately 300 yards short of Runway 31 at the Pascagoula airport. A witness reported hearing an aircraft fly over the airport at approximately 2330 CST. At that time, the weather was described as extremely foggy.

Investigation

During the investigation, no preimpact part failure or malfunction was found. The aircraft's systems and structure appeared to have been functioning normally before impact.

Pilot Information

The pilot was not instrument rated and had logged only about 65 hours of total flight time.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 17 Mar 1989 Cessna 172M accident near Pascagoula, MS?

An aircraft reported missing after a trip from New Orleans to Mobile was found crashed near Pascagoula, Mississippi. Weather was extremely foggy at the time. No mechanical issues were found. The pilot had limited experience and no instrument rating.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 17 Mar 1989 involved a Cessna 172M, registration N80542, at Pascagoula, MS.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

CONTINUED FLIGHT BY THE PILOT INTO INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS (IMC). CONTRIBUTING FACTORS WERE: INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PLANNING, WEATHER CONDITIONS, PILOT'S LACK OF INSTRUMENT FLIGHT TIME, LACK OF VISUAL CUES AT NIGHT, AND TREES AT THE CRASH SITE.

More accident analyses

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001213X27937. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.