N733AH

On November 22, 1999, about 0730 central standard time, a Cessna 172N, N733AH, registered to an individual, collided with brush and trees while making a precautionary landing in a field near Defuniak Springs, Florida, while on a Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The aircraft received substantial damage and the private-rated pilot was not injured. The flight originated from Geneva, Alabama, the same day, about 0700.

The pilot stated that after reviewing the weather on the weather channel, he departed on a local flight with his wife to perform several touch-and-go landings at the Geneva Airport. His wife then got out of the aircraft and he departed for Elba, Alabama, where he intended to purchase fuel for the aircraft. Upon arriving over Elba, he found the airport fogged in. He then diverted to Enterprise, Alabama, and found that airport fogged in. He then decided to return to Geneva. Upon arriving over Geneva, he found that airport also fogged in. He then made contact with controllers at Cairns Army Airfield, after having relayed his problem, via another aircraft, to controllers at Columbus, Georgia. He flew southeast of Geneva and encountered a clear area. He was getting low on fuel and elected to make a precautionary landing in a field, and he informed the controllers of this. Upon landing, he landed downwind and the aircraft floated over the intended landing point. The aircraft then touched down and rolled into heavy brush and trees and came to rest. The aircraft's wings contacted trees during landing roll and received substantial damage.