# NTSB ATL85FA237: Cessna 172A, N7279T, Glencoe, KY, August 5, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 4, 1985, 20:15 local (Aug 5, 1985, 00:15 UTC)
- Place: Glencoe, KY
- Coordinates: 38.70948, -84.819015 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.7095&lon=-84.8190&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6631
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL85FA237
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6631/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL85FA237

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - low pass - performed, pilot in command
  - maneuver - continued, pilot in command
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - impairment(alcohol), pilot in command (cause)
  - impairment(drugs), pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - misc eqpt/furnishings,shoulder harness - other
  - installation - not performed, company/operator management

## Analysis

THE ACFT CRASHED IN A FIELD NEXT TO WHERE A FRIEND OF THE PLT WAS BALING HAY. THE PLT HAD CALLED THE FRIEND EARLIER IN THE DAY & ASK THE FRIEND TO GO FLY WITH HIM. JUST PRIOR TO THE ACDNT, THE PLT FLEW OVER & CIRCLED A COUPLE OF TIMES AT LOW ALT. TWO WITNESSES SAW THE ACFT GO DOWN, BUT THEY COULD NOT BE FND LATER FOR INTERVIEW. AN EXAM OF THE ACFT REVEALED IT HAD CRASHED IN A STEEP NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE. THERE WAS LITTLE MOVEMENT OF THE ACFT AFTER IMPACT, BUT IT WAS RELATIVELY INTACT. NO PREIMPACT MECHANICAL PROBLEM WAS EVIDENT. A HAMILTON COUNTY BLOOD ANALYSIS SHOWED THE PLT HAD AN ALCOHOL LVL OF 20 MG% (0.02%), A COCAINE LVL OF 20 MG% & A DIAZEPAM (VALIUM) LVL OF 10 MG%. TOXICOLOGY TESTS AT THE FAA MEDICAL CENTER SHOWED THE ALCOHOL LVL OF THE PLT'S BLOOD WAS 0.035%, URINE WAS 0.038% & GASTRIC FLUID WAS 0.314%; HOWEVER, TESTS FOR DRUGS WERE NEGATIVE. THE ACFT WAS NOT EQUIPPED WITH SHOULDER HARNESSES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7279T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7279T-2013-05-07), registration cancelled 2013-05-07, S/N 46879, built 1959 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172A
- Registry model: [Cessna 172A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172a) (registry code 2072404) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 46879
- Airframe hours: 2508
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300-A 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Finkbeiner, Timothy A.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 30, 1984, 89 hours before
- Departed: HAO, HAMILTON, OH

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; toxicology performed; flight hours: 51 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CVG, 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 19850804035989A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850804035989A), Aug 4, 1985: Cessna 172A, Glencoe, KY, Destroyed. Uncontrolled crash after circling field. Student had no instruction. Consumed alcohol, valium and cocaine.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.