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Casualties unknown

Airplane Missing After Descent to Knoxville Airport Found in Great Smoky Mountains (N35255)

Cherokee, NC, US

On March 28, 2003, a Cessna 172R (registration N35255) operated by Knoxville Flight Training Center was involved in an aviation accident near Cherokee, NC. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain adequate terrain clearance, which resulted in an in-flight collision with mountainous terrain. 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.

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

An airplane lost radio and radar contact during descent to Knoxville Downtown Airport. After the ELT signal was heard, a search located the wreckage in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. No mechanical anomalies were found.

Event

The pilot was receiving flight following from the Knoxville Downtown Airport Tower. The pilot requested the Automated Weather Observing System frequency and started his descent to the Knoxville Downtown Airport. At 2035, radio and radar contact was lost.

Search and Recovery

At 2042, the airplane's emergency locator transmitter emergency signal was heard over the emergency frequency. Local authorities initiated a search for the missing airplane. The downed airplane was located on March 28, 2003, at 1000 in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, at Klingman's Dome, at an elevation of approximately 6,400 feet.

Investigation

The airframe examination revealed no evidence of any mechanical anomalies. The engine examination revealed no evidence of any mechanical anomalies.

Controlled flight into terrain

Related events

Same aircraft family

All Cessna 172 accidents →

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 28 Mar 2003 Cessna 172R accident near Cherokee, NC?

An airplane lost radio and radar contact during descent to Knoxville Downtown Airport. After the ELT signal was heard, a search located the wreckage in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. No mechanical anomalies were found.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 28 Mar 2003 involved a Cessna 172R, registration N35255, operated by Knoxville Flight Training Center, at Cherokee, NC.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pilot's failure to maintain adequate terrain clearance, which resulted in an in-flight collision with mountainous terrain.

More accident analyses

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20030402X00421. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.