# NTSB ATL85FA013: Cessna 150L, N5226Q, Douglas, GA, October 19, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: October 19, 1984, 11:20 local (15:20 UTC)
- Place: Douglas, GA
- Coordinates: 31.500577, -82.850463 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.5006&lon=-82.8505&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6574
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL85FA013
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6574/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL85FA013

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - impairment(alcohol), pilot in command (cause)
  - maneuver - performed, pilot in command
  - descent - initiated, pilot in command
  - altitude - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - remedial action - attempted, passenger

## Analysis

THE PASSENGER REPORTED THAT THE FORMER AERIAL APPLICATION PLT WAS DEMONSTRATING AN AERIAL APPLICATION MANEUVER WHEN HE ENTERED A STEEP DESCENT OVER A LAKE. THE PLT DELAYED THE RECOVERY AND THE PASSENGER, WHO HELD A STUDENT PLT CERTIFICATE, ATTEMPTED TO LEVEL OFF. AFTER THE ACFT IMPACTED IN THE LAKE, IT QUICKLY FILLED WITH WATER AND SANK. THE PASSENGER ESCAPED, BUT WAS UNABLE TO UNFASTEN THE PLT'S LAPBELT AND SHOULDER HARNESS. THE PLT'S DEATH WAS DUE TO DROWNING. AN FAA TOXICOLOGICAL CHECK OF THE PLT'S BLOOD SHOWED AN ALCOHOL LEVEL OF .223%. A HOSPITAL CHECK OF THE PASSENGER'S BLOOD INDICATED AN ALCOHOL LEVEL OF 0.19% (0.19 GRAMS %).

## Aircraft

- Registration: N5226Q (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150L
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 150733126
- Airframe hours: 3990
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Robert E. Harless
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, September 25, 1984, 27 hours before
- Departed: 18J, DOUGLAS, GA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 3, expired; seat: right; toxicology performed; flight hours: 3,500 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: AMG, 20 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 19841019057319A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19841019057319A), Oct 19, 1984: Cessna 150L, Douglas, GA, Destroyed. Impacted lake after low altitude maneuvers. Student attempted pullup but too late. Both occupants intoxicated.

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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