# NTSB ATL85FA081: Cessna 182H, N2431X, Letohatchee, AL, January 24, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: January 24, 1985, 16:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: Letohatchee, AL
- Coordinates: 32.079559, -86.509193 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.0796&lon=-86.5092&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): 6593
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL85FA081
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6593/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL85FA081

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - buzzing - attempted, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - altitude - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

ACFT WAS OBSERVED AT LOW ALT DESCENDING ON A NORTHERLY HDG. ABOUT 1.5 MI. 5 OF THE CRASH SITE. ENGINE SOUNDS WERE CHARACTERIZED AS SMOOTH AND NORMAL. ACFT STRUCK A 44000 VOLT X-MISSION LINE PARTING A 5/16IN. DIAMETER HI-STRENGTH STEEL GROUND CABLE AND A 1/0 ALUMINUM/STEEL CONDUCTOR. 18 TURNS OF THE STEEL CABLE WERE REMOVED FROM AROUND THE PROP SHAFT ABOUT 1820 FT OF THE STEEL CABLE WAS PULLED FROM THE SUPPORT STRUCTURES. ACFT CAME TO A STOP ABOUT 457FT PAST THE X-MISSION LINE AND BURNED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N2431X (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 182H
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18756331
- Airframe hours: 3805
- Engines: Continental O-470-P(15) 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Lefevre Money Processing Sys.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 8, 1984, 38 hours before
- Departed: PNS, PENSACOLA, FL
- Destination: MGM, MONTGOMERY, AL
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: MGM, Dannelly

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 36 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MGM, 11 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 19850124001319A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850124001319A), Jan 24, 1985: Cessna STC182, Letohatchee, AL, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Struck power lines while flying at low altitude. Aircraft impacted ground and burned.

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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