# NTSB Accident ATL89FA177
> **CESSNA 172** · 1989-07-11 · TOWNSEND, TN, USA · SERS
## Event
- **NTSB number:** ATL89FA177
- **Event ID:** 20001213X28717
- **Type:** Accident
- **Date:** 1989-07-11
- **Location:** TOWNSEND, TN, USA
- **Coordinates:** 35.670143, -83.749778
## Injuries
- **Highest injury:** SERS
- **Fatal:** 0
- **Serious:** 1
- **Minor:** 0
- **Uninjured:** 0
- **Total aboard:** 1
## Aircraft
- **Make:** CESSNA
- **Model:** 172
- **Registration:** N8855B
- **FAR Part:** 091
- **Engines:** 1
- **Damage:** DEST
## Conditions
- **Light:** DAYL
- **Weather:** IMC
## Probable cause

IMPROPER IN-FLIGHT PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT AND HIS DELAY IN INITIATING REMEDIAL ACTION, WHEN HE ENCOUNTERED LOW CEILINGS OVER MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN, WHICH RESULTED IN HIS INABILITY TO MAINTAIN SUFFICIENT ALTITUDE.  CONTRIBUTING FACTORS WERE:  THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PLANNING/DECISION, HIS FAILURE TO USE IN-FLIGHT WEATHER BRIEFING SERVICE, HIS PROBABLE PHYSICAL IMPAIRMENT FROM MEDICATION/DRUGS, AND THE TERRAIN AND WEATHER CONDITIONS.

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*Source: [NTSB CAROL](https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-main-public/basic-search?source=ntsb&type=event&ntsb_number=ATL89FA177) · AI Analytics · CC0 1.0*