Accident Details
On February 14, 2014, at 1759 central standard time, a Cessna 172M, registration N194EX, sustained substantial damage during a precautionary landing in Pinson, Tennessee. The private pilot/owner was not injured, and the passenger was seriously injured. The flight operated under night instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) without a flight plan, as a personal flight under 14 CFR Part 91.
The flight departed Springfield-Branson National Airport (SGF), Missouri, with Northwest Alabama Regional Airport (MSL) as the intended destination. The pilot stated that he obtained current and forecast weather information along the route from a commercial weather vendor and updated it during the flight via air traffic control (ATC) and an online commercial weather vendor. At departure, conditions were marginal visual flight rules (VFR). After climbing to cruising altitude, the pilot descended due to worsening weather to maintain VFR.
ATC advised the pilot that weather at the destination had deteriorated and provided vectors to an alternate airport. The pilot turned toward the suggested heading but continued descending to maintain VFR. Determining that VFR flight could no longer be continued, he selected a field for a precautionary landing. The airplane landed hard in muddy terrain, fracturing the empennage and substantially damaging the right wing.
Pilot and Aircraft Information
The pilot held a private pilot certificate with a single-engine land rating but no instrument rating. His most recent FAA third-class medical certificate was issued in February 2013. He reported 150 total hours of flight experience, all in the accident aircraft make and model.
The airplane, manufactured in 1975, had its most recent annual inspection on April 4, 2013, at 2,702 total aircraft hours.
Weather and Examination
The weather reported at McKellar-Sipes Regional Airport (MKL), Jackson, Tennessee, 13 miles north of the accident site, included an overcast ceiling at 1,300 feet and 3 miles visibility in fog.
Postaccident examination by an FAA inspector revealed no preimpact mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot seat remained partially attached to its seat tracks with the adjustment pins engaged. The copilot seat was separated from its tracks, and the seat leg "ears" were either splayed open or fractured due to overstress. In accordance with FAA Airworthiness Directive (AD) Note 11-10-09, the seat rails and tracks for both front seats were inspected. They were worn but did not exceed allowable tolerances specified in the AD.
Passenger Actions
According to the passenger, she unfastened her seat belt and shoulder harness during the flight to retrieve a fallen article from the cockpit floor. She did not recall whether she refastened the seatbelt and shoulder harness afterward.
Pilot's Recommendations
Under the NTSB accident report form's "Recommendation" section, the pilot/owner suggested: (1) more emphasis on the changing nature of weather conditions, especially on longer legs; and (2) better monitoring of passenger seatbelt use, particularly in low light conditions.