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Casualties unknown

Airplane Strikes Mountain Crest During Cross-Country Flight (N735JZ)

Piedmont, AL, US

On November 2, 1998, a Cessna C-182Q (registration N735JZ) was involved in an aviation accident near Piedmont, AL. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's decision to continue the flight under visual flight rules into deteriorating visibility, and his failure to maintain altitude clearance with the terrain. 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

A two-leg cross-country flight from Iowa to Georgia ended when the airplane struck a mountain crest at about 2,000 feet. The pilot had begun a slow descent due to deteriorating visibility from drizzle and sunset.

Introduction

A cross-country flight operating between Storm Lake, Iowa, and Carrollton, Georgia, with a fuel stop in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, ended when the airplane collided with a mountain crest.

Flight Description

According to the survivor, the flight encountered deteriorating visibility caused by drizzle and the onset of sunset. In response, the pilot initiated a slow descent to maintain visual contact with the ground.

Accident

The airplane subsequently struck a mountain crest at approximately the 2,000-foot level.

Investigation

A postcrash examination of the airframe and engine, along with statements from the private-rated pilot, who was seated in the rear, revealed no malfunctions in the engine, aircraft control, flight instruments, or navigation systems prior to the impact.

Controlled flight into terrain

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2 Nov 1998 Cessna C-182Q accident near Piedmont, AL?

A two-leg cross-country flight from Iowa to Georgia ended when the airplane struck a mountain crest at about 2,000 feet. The pilot had begun a slow descent due to deteriorating visibility from drizzle and sunset.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2 Nov 1998 involved a Cessna C-182Q, registration N735JZ, at Piedmont, AL.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pilot's decision to continue the flight under visual flight rules into deteriorating visibility, and his failure to maintain altitude clearance with the terrain.

More accident analyses

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001211X11471. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.