C182 pilot had communication failure in IMC in ZTL class east.

Attributes
ACN	581336
Time
Date	200305
Day	Sat
Local Time Of Day	1201 To 1800
Place
Locale Reference	navaid : bgf.ndb
State Reference	TN
Altitude	msl single value : 8000
Environment
Flight Conditions	IMC
Light	Daylight
Aircraft 1
Controlling Facilities	artcc : ztl.artcc tracon : hsv.tracon
Operator	general aviation : personal
Make Model Name	Cessna Stationair/Turbo Stationair 6
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 91
Navigation In Use	other ndb
Flight Phase	cruise : level
Flight Plan	IFR
Person 1
Affiliation	other
Function	flight crew : single pilot oversight : pic
Qualification	pilot : private pilot : instrument
Experience	flight time last 90 days : 20 flight time total : 1900 flight time type : 1600
ASRS Report	581336
Person 2
Affiliation	government : faa
Function	controller : radar
Events
Anomaly	aircraft equipment problem : critical inflight encounter : weather inflight encounter other other anomaly other
Independent Detector	other flight crewa
Resolutory Action	none taken : detected after the fact other
Consequence	other
Supplementary
Problem Areas	Aircraft Weather
Primary Problem	Aircraft

Narrative:

I realized I had communication problems when I tried to reach ZTL on 133.8 to request lower, to begin my descent into bgf. Unable to contact ZTL or hsv approach, I began my descent approximately 28 NM south of bgf. I should have maintained 8000 ft (last assigned altitude) until crossing the NDB at bgf, then begun my descent, at my flight plan time. I originally thought I could descend and maintain VFR conditions.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: C182 PLT HAD COM FAILURE IN IMC IN ZTL CLASS E.

Narrative: I REALIZED I HAD COM PROBS WHEN I TRIED TO REACH ZTL ON 133.8 TO REQUEST LOWER, TO BEGIN MY DSCNT INTO BGF. UNABLE TO CONTACT ZTL OR HSV APCH, I BEGAN MY DSCNT APPROX 28 NM S OF BGF. I SHOULD HAVE MAINTAINED 8000 FT (LAST ASSIGNED ALT) UNTIL XING THE NDB AT BGF, THEN BEGUN MY DSCNT, AT MY FLT PLAN TIME. I ORIGINALLY THOUGHT I COULD DSND AND MAINTAIN VFR CONDITIONS.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of July 2007 and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.