# NTSB ATL85FA113: Cessna 182, N5430B, Le Banon, VA, March 8, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: March 8, 1985, 17:20 local (22:20 UTC)
- Place: Le Banon, VA
- Coordinates: 36.890434, -82.070854 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.8904&lon=-82.0709&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6602
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL85FA113
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6602/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL85FA113

## 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 - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - flight into known adverse weather - continued, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather evaluation - disregarded, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, cruise - normal
  - object - tree(s)
  - altitude - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT IMPACTED TREES AND CAME TO REST 400 FT DOWNSLOPE FROM THE TOP OF CLINCH MOUNTAIN. THE NON-INSTRUMENT RATED PLT DEPARTED SPRINFIELD, MO, WITH A CEILING OF APRX 300-400 FT AGL. THE PLT THEN LANDED AT COOKEVILLE, TN, WHERE HE RECEIVED A WX BRIEFING AND FUEL. THE PLT STATED TO THE FSS BRIEFER, HE HAD TO DEVIATE SOUTH OF HIS ORIGINALLY PLANNED COURSE BECAUSE OF WX AND HE WANTED TO EXTEND HIS FLT PLAN. THE PLT WAS ADVISED DURING THE BRIEFING THAT VFR WAS NOT RECOMMENDED ALONG THE ROUTE OF FLT BECAUSE OF RAINSHOWERS, LOW CEILINGS AND LOW VISIBILITIES. COOKEVILLE WAS MVFR BUT IFR WAS FORECAST ALONG THE ROUTE AS THE DETERIORATING WX MOVED SOUTH. WX IN THE AREA OF THE ACCIDENT AT THE TIME WAS REPORTED AS BEING MARGINAL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5430B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5430B-2013-04-09), registration cancelled 2013-04-09, S/N 33430, built 1956 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 182
- Registry model: [Cessna 182](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182) (registry code 2072702) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 33430
- Airframe hours: 2573
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-L 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Norman Jespersen
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, May 12, 1984
- Departed: SPRINGFIELD, MO
- Destination: WOODBARDY, VA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 290 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 13 knots, gusting 18
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,500 ft overcast
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: TRI, 25 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 19850308009629A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850308009629A), Mar 8, 1985: Cessna 182, Lebanon, VA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Advised by flight service that VFR not recommended. Flew into lowering ceiling and visibility. Hit side of mountain

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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