# NTSB ATL81FA055: Grumman F8F-2, N9885C, Commerce, GA, June 18, 1980

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: June 18, 1980
- Place: Commerce, GA · COMMERCE, GA
- Location: 34.2143° N, 83.4757° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Commerce, GA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.2143&lon=-83.4757&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Uncontrolled descent](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/650) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report February 24, 1981
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 202521
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL81FA055
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL81FA055-202521

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3202  80/6/18    COMMERCE,GA         GRUMMAN F8F-2       CR-  1  0  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 42, 1000
        TIME - 1350                    N9885C              PX-  0  0  0  BUSINESS                  TOTAL HOURS, 400 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          KNOXVILLE,TN                DAYTONA BEACH,FL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           AIRFRAME FAILURE: IN FLIGHT                              IN FLIGHT: UNCONTROLLED DESCENT
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - CONTINUED FLIGHT INTO KNOWN AREAS OF SEVERE TURBULENCE
           PILOT IN COMMAND - EXCEEDED DESIGNED STRESS LIMITS OF AIRCRAFT
        FACTOR(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - ATTEMPTED OPERATION W/KNOWN DEFICIENCIES IN EQUIPMENT
           PERSONNEL - MAINTENANCE,SERVICING,INSPECTION: INADEQUATE MAINTENANCE AND INSPECTION
           AIRFRAME - WINGS: SPARS
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - OVERLOAD FAILURE
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - SEPARATION IN FLIGHT
           WEATHER - THUNDERSTORM ACTIVITY
        WEATHER BRIEFING - BRIEFING RECEIVED-METHOD UNKNOWN
        WEATHER FORECAST - FORECAST SUBSTANTIALLY CORRECT
        SKY CONDITION                                            CEILING AT ACCIDENT SITE
          OVERCAST                                                  4000
        VISIBILITY AT ACCIDENT SITE                              PRECIPITATION AT ACCIDENT SITE
          1/2 MILE OR LESS                                          THUNDERSTORM, HAIL
        OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION AT ACCIDENT SITE                  TEMPERATURE-F
          UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED                                      83
        TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS                               TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          IFR                                                      NONE
         FIRE AFTER IMPACT
        REMARKS- R AIL OUT OF BAL,SVRL COATS OF PAINT.PLT AWARE OF SVR AIL FLUTTER.HOLE DRILLED IN LWR WING SPAR.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9885C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9885C-1981-10-15), registration cancelled 1981-10-15, S/N 121751 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GRUMMAN F8F-2
- Registry model: [Grumman F8F-2](https://openairdocs.org/model/grumman-f8f-2) (registry code 3950802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19800618022189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19800618022189A), Jun 18, 1980: Gruman F8F2ACME, Commerce, GA, Destroyed. Lost control in a thunderstorm. Lost a wing. Was advised not to fly in area. Ailerons were out of balance.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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