Incident Overview
At 1532, the pilot of N9740Y departed on a visual flight rules (VFR) flight and received VFR flight following during the flight. According to the FAA transcript of communications, the pilot requested progressively lower altitudes to maintain VFR. The controller approved the second request but advised that at that altitude, Air Route Traffic Control Center (ARTCC) might lose radar contact. The pilot's third request was for 7,500 feet to avoid turbulence.
Flight and Communications
At 1619, the pilot changed his destination from Tri-Cities Regional Airport to Hawkins County Airport. At 1622:39, the pilot reported descending out of five thousand three hundred feet. The controller acknowledged and provided the local altimeter setting from Tri-Cities Airport. The pilot acknowledged at 1622:50. At 1628:26, the controller stated, "niner seven four zero yankee radar contact lost squawk one two zero zero cleared to advisory frequency good afternoon" and then added "niner seven four zero yankee Atlanta." No further communications were received from N9740Y.
Accident Sequence
N9740Y struck Clinch Mountain, about 6.7 miles northwest of Hawkins County Airport, in a level flight attitude, as indicated by freshly cut trees. The impact occurred at an altitude of about 2,350 feet, approximately 50 feet below the 2,400-foot mountain elevation.
Weather and Pilot Qualifications
At the time of the accident, Tri-Cities Regional Airport reported a ceiling of 1,300 feet overcast. Witnesses at Hawkins County Airport stated that ceiling and visibility were low, and the airport had been closed due to weather. The pilot held a private pilot certificate with a single-engine land rating and no instrument rating.