ATL82FA110

Factual narrative

DRG THE WX BRIEFING THE PLT WAS ADVISED THAT VFR FLT WAS NOT RECOMMENDED DUE TO LOW CEILINGS & POOR VISIBILITY. THE PLT RESPONDED HE HAD TO GO TO FT. PAYNE VFR BECAUSE THEY HAVE NO INSTRUMENT APPROACH. A JEPPESEN US (LO)29 LOW ALT ENROUTE CHART WAS FOUND AT THE WRECKAGE THAT HAD A LINE DRAWN TRAVERSING SW OUT OF THE CHATTANOOGA VOR BETWEEN V-115 & V-115E. THE MEA FOR THESE AIRWAYS WAS 4,000 FT MSL. PRIOR TO DEPARTURE THE PLT AS ADVISED THAT TOPS WERE REPORTED 4,500 FT WITH ANOTHER LAYER AT 9,000 FT. THE PLT RESPONDED HE WAS GOING TO FT. PAYNE & THEY HAD NO APPROACH THERE. APPROXIMATELY 2-1/2 MIN AFTER TAKEOFF THE PLT REPORTED "...LOOKS LIKE ABOUT 1500 IS ALL WE'RE GONNA GET RIGHT NOW." ABOUT 7 MIN LATER THE PLT REPORTED THEY WERE STILL VFR BUT MIGHT WANT TO TURN AROUND. THE ACFT IMPACTED THE TOP OF A NORTH/SOUTH RIDGELINEAT AN ELEVATION OF 2,020 FT. THE COPILOT WAS PART OF THE COMPANY'S MANAGEMENT TEAM. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12