Cessna 172RG accident near Waveland, Mississippi, June 15, 2001
On June 15, 2001 at about 12:30 pm local time, a Cessna 172RG, registered N4734R, was destroyed in an accident near Waveland, Mississippi. It was an other work-use flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The incapacitation of the pilot (cardiovascular) resulting in his inability to fly the airplane and subsequent in-flight collision with trees then a house.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 15, 2001 · about 12:30 pm local time
- Place
- Waveland, Mississippi · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 172RG · all 172RGs on the register
- Registration
- N4734R · no longer on the register · serial 172RG0020
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Other work-use flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot was employed by Omega Protein, Inc., to spot fish while flying and relay that information to fishing boats. The accident pilot and another company pilot departed about the same time in separate airplanes from the same airport for the purpose of fish spotting. Another company pilot departed from another airport about the same time for the same purpose. About 1 hour 40 minutes after the accident flight departed, an unknown company pilot asked the accident pilot his location; he responded that he was east of a location called Cat Island, and he wanted to make a motion to stop fish spotting for the duration of the shift. The pilot who had departed with the accident pilot reported that the accident pilot's voice during this transmission was "weak" sounding. Both other company pilots reported that it was discussed to return due to the inability to see fish. The pilot who departed from the separate airport returned to his departure airport. The pilot who had departed with the accident pilot initially elected to attempt to spot fish for a boat that was heading south of the fleet of boats being spotted by him and the accident pilot. He then returned to near the fleet and attempted to establish radio communications with the accident pilot; but was unsuccessful. A pilot-rated witness who was located approximately 4-5 blocks east of the crash site reported seeing an airplane flying no more than 400 feet above ground level airplane heading north or northwest bound. He estimated the airplane was flying at 80 miles per hour with the engine operating at a decreased rpm; the engine sound was steady with no sputtering. He reported that after flying over land, the airplane entered a 10-15 degree left bank which continued until he lost sight of the airplane. He then heard a sound he associated with the accident. The airplane impacted trees followed by the roof of a house. Post accident examination of the flight controls and engine revealed no evidence of preimpact failure or malfunction. The autopsy report indicated, "Fresh posteroseptal myocardial infarction; stenotic coronary atherosclerosis." Toxicological analysis indicates hydrocodone, dihydrocodeine, hydromorphone, and glucose were detected in urine. The pilot was last issued a second class medical certificate on January 12, 2001, with the limitation, "Holder shall wear corrective lenses while exercising the privileges of his airman certificate."
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; single-engine sea
- Flight time: 17,946 hours in all; 6,244 in this make and model
- Last flight review: May 1, 2000
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 10,809 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, March 14, 2001; 246 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,650 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Lycoming O-360-F1A6 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: Gulfport MS at 10:40 am
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 250° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 2,700 ft; scat at 1,900 ft
- Temperature: 81°F (27°C), dew point 75°F (24°C)
- Altimeter: 30.06 inHg
- Observation at 12:53 pm from KGPT, 17 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.