# NTSB ATL84FA141: Cessna 182Q, N96578, Nw.Of Abingdon, VA, April 6, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: April 6, 1984, 08:50 local (13:50 UTC)
- Place: Nw.Of Abingdon, VA
- Coordinates: 36.770751, -82.029823 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.7708&lon=-82.0298&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): 6270
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL84FA141
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6270/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL84FA141

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, climb
  - preflight planning/preparation - inaccurate, nws personnel (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - turbulence (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - continued, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total instrument time, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - terrain condition - rising (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT CRASHED INTO A MOUNTAIN AT THE 4000 FT LEVEL ABOUT 100 FT BELOW THE CREST EN ROUTE TO CHATTANOOGA, TN. THE PLT HAD RECEIVED A PRE-FLT TELEPHONIC BRIEFING THAT WAS CONSIDERED CURRENT AND APPROPRIATE FOR THE FLT WITHOUT ANY SPECIAL REMARKS. AT DEPARTURE THE RICHLANDS ARPT MANAGER SAID THE WEATHER WAS OVERCAST WITH STRONG WINDS AND LIGHT RAIN. THE VISIBILITY WAS ABOUT 2 MILES. THERE WERE NO KNOWN RADIO COMMUNICATIONS WITH THE ACFT AFTER DEPARTURE. THERE WERE NO KNOWN WITNESSES TO THE CRASH AND RADAR WAS UNABLE TO RECREATE A RADAR TRACK FROM STORED INFO FOR THE MOUNTAINOUS TERRAININTERFERED. THE ACFT CRASHED IN LEVEL POWERED FLT. THE PLT HAD LIMITED TOTAL TIME AND WAS NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N96578](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N96578-2013-05-23), registration cancelled 2013-05-23, S/N 18266766, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 182Q
- Registry model: [Cessna 182Q](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182q) (registry code 2072732) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18266766
- Airframe hours: 1292
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-U 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Robert M. Elswick III, doing business as Paramount Christian Cathedral
- Registered owner: Paramount Christian Cathedral
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 1, 1984, 1 hours before
- Departed: 7A4, RICHLANDS, VA
- Destination: CHA, CHATTANOOGA, TN

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 65 total, 35 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 250° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 45 °F, dew point 37 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: TRI, 27 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 19840406008779A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840406008779A), Apr 6, 1984: Cessna 182Q, Abingdon, VA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Flew into trees on the side of a cloud obscured mountain. VFR pilot had departed in IFR conditions.

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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