# NTSB ATL84FA058: Cessna 414A, N6623C, Waynesville, NC, November 24, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: November 24, 1983, 17:55 local (22:55 UTC)
- Place: Waynesville, NC
- Coordinates: 35.190937, -83.07949 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.1909&lon=-83.0795&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6238
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL84FA058
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6238/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL84FA058

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - weather condition - clouds (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - flight into known adverse weather - continued, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, cruise - normal
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - high terrain (contributing factor)
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - impairment(alcohol), pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

AFTER DEPARTURE AT 1417 CST, RADAR TRACK SHOWED THE ACFT CLIMBING TO & MAINTAINING 7,600 FT UNTIL ABOUT 1733 EST & 28-30 MI NORTH OF THE KNOXVILLE VOR. THE ACFT THEN DESCENDED & CROSSED THE SNOWBIRD VOR AT ABOUT 6,700 FT. THERE WERE SEVERAL UP & DOWN ALTITUDE EXCURSIONS. AFTER CROSSING SNOWBIRD VOR THE ACFT TURNED SOUTH & AGAIN THERE WERE ALTITUDE EXCURSIONS. THE FINAL RADAR CONTACT WAS AT 6,100 FT & ABOUT 1 MI FROM THE CRASH SITE. THE ACFT HAD IMPACTED MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN AT ABOUT 6,000 FT MSL & 11 MI FROM THE DESTINATION.  METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS AT THE CRASH SITE INCLUDED LOW CLOUDS & PRECIPITATION. THE PLT'S BLOOD ALCOHOL LEVEL WAS 0.04%.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6623C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6623C-1984-02-14), registration cancelled 1984-02-14, S/N 414A0033 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 414A
- Registry model: [Cessna 414A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-414a) (registry code 2075907) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 414A0033
- Airframe hours: 73
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520-N 310 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Martin Tool Works
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 2, 1983, 157 hours before
- Departed: DPA, WEST CHICAGO, IL
- Destination: 24A, SYLVA, NC

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 2,000 total, 713 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 340° at 13 knots, gusting 19
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 50 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: AVL, 28 nm away

## 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 19831124060059A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19831124060059A), Nov 24, 1983: Cessna 414A, Waynesville, NC, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Flew into trees on the side of a cloud obscured mountain. No flight plan or weather briefing.

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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