# NTSB ATL85FA191: Piper J5A, N35612, Cleveland, GA, June 20, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: June 20, 1985, 18:15 local (22:15 UTC)
- Place: Cleveland, GA
- Coordinates: 34.590023, -83.760437 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.5900&lon=-83.7604&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6621
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL85FA191
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6621/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL85FA191

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, maneuvering
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - impairment(alcohol), pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
  - terrain condition - high obstruction(s) (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PLT TOOK OFF FROM A PRIVATE STRIP WITH HIS 5 YR OLD DAUGHTER ON BOARD. HE THEN MADE SEVERAL LOW PASSES BY A GUEST HOUSE SO THAT HIS DAUGHTER COULD WAVE TO HER GRANDPARENTS. THE ACFT WAS LAST SEEN HEADED GENERALLY IN A NORTHERLY DIRECTION WHEN IT BANKED SHARPLY TO THE RIGHT, THEN IT DISAPPEARED BEHIND TREES. IMPACT OCCURRED IN A STEEP NOSE-DOWN ATTITUDE. THERE WAS AN ABSENCE OF TORSIONAL DAMAGE TO THE PROPELLER; ONE BLADE WAS STRAIGHT & THE OTHER BLADE WAS BENT AFT. VIRTUALLY NO FUEL WAS FOUND IN THE TANKS, LINES & CARBURETOR. NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS FND. DURING AN OPERATIONAL CHECK WITH A REPLACEMENT PROPELLER, THE ENG WAS RUN TO 2325 RPM. A CHECK OF THE PLT'S BLOOD SHOWED AN ALCOHOL LVL OF 0.040%.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N35612 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER J5A
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 5-602
- Airframe hours: 3022
- Engines: CONTINENTAL A-75 75 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Tilton L.Chester
- Registered owner: Robert E. Weatherly, Jr.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: CLEVELAND, GA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; commercial, flight engineer; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 20,000 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 330° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: FTY, 75 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 19850620026479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850620026479A), Jun 20, 1985: Piper J5A, Cleveland, GA, Substantial damage. After several low passes aircraft made a sharp turn and struck trees and ground. Pilot had consumed alcohol.

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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