# NTSB ATL83FA365: North American SNJ, N9789Z, Millington, TN, September 11, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 11, 1983, 11:53 local (16:53 UTC)
- Place: Millington, TN
- Coordinates: 35.330978, -89.880805 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.3310&lon=-89.8808&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5947
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL83FA365
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5947/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL83FA365

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - aerobatics - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - aircraft handling - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - inadequate recurrent training, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering

## Analysis

TH PLT WAS GIVING FREE RIDES TO SPECTATORS AT AN AIR SHOW. THE ACFT WAS OBSERVED MAKING WHAT APPEARED TO BE A LOOP WHICH WAS INITIATED AT A LOW ALTITUDE. AS THE ACFT REACHED THE TOP OF THE LOOP, IT WAS ESTIMATED TO BE 1,000 TO 1,200 FT AGL. THE NOSE THEN PITCHED DOWN INTO A NEAR VERTICAL ATTITUDE & CONTINUED UNTIL GROUND IMPACT. THE PLT HAD NOT RECEIVED AN ACROBATIC COMPETENCY CHECK. TOXICOLOGICAL TESTS REVEALED BLOOD ALCOHOL LEVEL READINGS OF 0.054% TO 0.065%. HOWEVER, THE VITREOUS HUMOR ALCOHOL LEVEL WAS NEGATIVE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N9789Z (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: NORTH AMERICAN SNJ
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: AJ731
- Engines: P&W R-1340 600 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: R.A. Kerley Ink Engineers Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Airport: Charels Baker, runway 18, 3,800 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,876 total, 72 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MEM

## 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 19830911047879A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830911047879A), Sep 11, 1983: Namer T6G, Millington, TN, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Too low to recover from a loop. Near vertical ground impact. Pilot had consumed alcohol prior to flight.

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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