# NTSB ATL85FA101: Cessna 182R, N2370E, Burkes Garden, VA, February 19, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: February 19, 1985, 09:00 local (14:00 UTC)
- Place: Burkes Garden, VA
- Location: 37.0982° N, 81.3409° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Burkes Garden, VA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.0982&lon=-81.3409&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): 6598
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL85FA101
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6598/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL85FA101

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise
  - weather condition - obscuration (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - self-induced pressure, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather evaluation - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - flight into known adverse weather - continued, pilot in command (cause)
  - vfr flight into imc - continued, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, cruise
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly

## Analysis

THE PLT DEPARTED MANASSAS WITHOUT A CURRENT WX BRIEFING OR FILING A FLT PLAN. PLT HAD ALSO LEFT MAPS AND A LIST OF CHECKPOINTS AT HOME. HIS ROUTE OF FLT WAS INTO AN AREA OF LOW CEILINGS AND VISIBILITY. THE ACFT CRASHED INTO A MOUNTAIN AT THE 3850 FT LEVEL. WITNESSES IN THE AREA STATED THAT MOUNTAIN TOPS WERE OBSCURED AND VISIBILITY WAS POOR DUE TO FOG AND DRIZZLE. PLT WAS REPORTEDLY UNDER MENTAL STRESS DUE TO RECENT PERSONAL EVENTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2370E](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2370E), registered now, S/N 18280540 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 182R
- Registry model: [Cessna 182S](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182s) (registry code 2072701) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-series) (registry code 41530, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18268198
- Airframe hours: 881
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Dulles Aviation,Inc.
- Registered owner: Belton Gardner
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, January 7, 1985, 21 hours before
- Departed: W10, MANASSAS, VA
- Destination: SYI, SHELBYVILLE, TN

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 23; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 205 total, 5 in this make and model, 174 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 200 ft
- Temperature: 36 °F, dew point 34 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: BLF, 15 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 19850219006359A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850219006359A), Feb 19, 1985: Cessna 182R, Burkes Garden, VA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Aircraft struck trees and mountain ridge in IFR weather. Pilot had not checked weather before departure.

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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