On April 22, 1995, a Cessna 172N (registration N3220E) operated by Little, Daniel A. was involved in an aviation accident near Atlanta, GA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: THE PILOT'S IMPAIRMENT OF JUDGMENT AND PERFORMANCE DUE TO A DRUG, VFR FLIGHT INTO INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS, AND FAILURE TO REMAIN CLEAR OF THE OBSTACLE (TOWERING SMOKE STACK). FACTORS RELATING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 1 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
A noninstrument-rated private pilot, aware of SIGMET and thunderstorms, struck an 880-ft smoke stack on a VFR flight. The left wing folded, and the aircraft spun into the ground. Toxicology showed marijuana metabolites.
Incident Overview
A noninstrument-rated private pilot received a weather briefing before departing on a visual flight rules (VFR) flight from an unspecified location to Raleigh, North Carolina. During the briefing, the pilot was advised of approaching rain and thunderstorm activity. While taxiing for takeoff, tower personnel asked if he was aware of a SIGMET (Significant Meteorological Information) in effect for the Atlanta area; the pilot replied that he was. After takeoff, he departed northeast bound.
Collision with Smoke Stack
Witnesses at an electrical plant heard a small aircraft flying in the area before they heard the aircraft hit the plant's concrete smoke stack. They then observed the aircraft descending out of the base of the clouds. The left wing was folded back against the fuselage, and the aircraft was spinning as it crashed into the ground. The smoke stack was about 880 feet tall, and its top was obscured by clouds. Impact marks were found about 75 feet from the top of the smoke stack.
Toxicology Results
A toxicology test of the pilot's blood revealed 0.005 mcg/mL of tetrahydrocannabinol and 0.011 mcg/mL of tetrahydrocannabinol carboxylic acid (metabolites of marijuana).
What happened in the 22 Apr 1995 Cessna 172N accident near Atlanta, GA?
A noninstrument-rated private pilot, aware of SIGMET and thunderstorms, struck an 880-ft smoke stack on a VFR flight. The left wing folded, and the aircraft spun into the ground. Toxicology showed marijuana metabolites.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 22 Apr 1995 involved a Cessna 172N, registration N3220E, operated by Little, Daniel A., at Atlanta, GA.
What was the probable cause of the accident?
THE PILOT'S IMPAIRMENT OF JUDGMENT AND PERFORMANCE DUE TO A DRUG, VFR FLIGHT INTO INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS, AND FAILURE TO REMAIN CLEAR OF THE OBSTACLE (TOWERING SMOKE STACK). FACTORS RELATING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS.
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