# NTSB ATL85FA011: Beech QU-22A 1074, N83475, Fancy Gap, VA, October 17, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: October 17, 1984, 18:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: Fancy Gap, VA
- Coordinates: 36.659088, -80.700645 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.6591&lon=-80.7006&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6573
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL85FA011
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6573/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL85FA011

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, maneuvering
  - flight into known adverse weather - attempted, pilot in command (cause)
  - self-induced pressure, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - clouds (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
- Fire, other

## Analysis

AT ABOUT THE 2,800 FT LEVEL THE ACFT FLEW INTO THE MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN WHICH WAS OBSCURED BY CLOUDS. WITNESSES OBSERVED 2 PREVIOUS ATTEMPTS TO FLY OVER THE RISING TERRAIN UNDER THE CLOUD LAYER. DEPARTURE AND DEST ARPT, PLT IDENTITY, AND ACFT OWNER ARE ALL UNKNOWN. LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS ESTIMATE THAT APRX 1,000 LBS OF MARIJUANA WERE ABOARD THE ACFT. MOST OF THE WRECKAGE WAS DESTROYED BY POST CRASH FIRE. THE ACFT WAS ORIGINALLY MANUFACTURED AS A DRONE FOR THE U.S. ARMY. IT WAS SIMILAR TO A BEECH DEBONAIR, A TOTAL OF 12 WERE BUILT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N83475](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N83475-2013-02-27), registration cancelled 2013-02-27, S/N CED-4, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Beech QU-22A 1074 (QU-22A 107)
- Registry model: [Beech QU-22A](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-qu-22a) (registry code 1151606) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-520-series) (registry code 17040, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: CED 4
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520-D 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Gearge Cash
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Departed: UNKNOWN
- Destination: UNKNOWN

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; medical: unknown, unknown; seat: left; toxicology performed

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 40° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 63 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: INT, 39 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 19841017057549A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19841017057549A), Oct 17, 1984: Beech QU22A, Fancy Gap, VA, Destroyed. Low ceiling and visibility, hit trees, ground. 800 pounds of marijuana on aircraft. Registered to fictitious name.

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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