# NTSB ATL85FLT03: Cessna T210N, N64276, Soddy Daisey, TN, November 4, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: November 4, 1984, 18:14 local (23:14 UTC)
- Place: Soddy Daisey, TN
- Coordinates: 35.259296, -85.170806 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.2593&lon=-85.1708&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 3 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6656
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL85FLT03
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6656/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL85FLT03

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise - normal
  - electrical system,alternator - failure,total (cause)
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - emergency procedure - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT DESCENDED INTO TREES DURING IFR WEATHER AFTER HAVING A TTL ELECTRICAL FAILURE. THE PLT CONTINUED NAVIGATING BY DEAD RECKONING AND NOT FINDING A BREAK IN THE CLOUDS DECIDED TO DESCEND THROUGH THE CLOUDS. THE TOPS OF TREES WERE STRUCK ON A RIDGE AT THE 1850 FT LEVEL. BROKEN TO OVERCAST CONDITIONS EXISTED AT BOTH CHATTANOOGA AND KNOXSVILLE BTW 1200 AND 2200 FT MSL. THE OWNER OF THE PROPERTY ON WHICH THE ACFT CRASHED SAID HE HEARD THE IMPACT BUT COULD NOT SEE THEACFT BECAUSE FOG COVERED THE RIDGE. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT A FIELD WIRE HAD PULLED OUT OF THE ALTERNATOR.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N64276 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA T210N
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 64276
- Airframe hours: 451
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520R 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Southern Salvage Co.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 2, 1984, 140 hours before
- Departed: 49J, HILTON HEAD, SC
- Destination: TYS, KNOXVILLE, TN
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 848 total, 422 in this make and model, 748 as pilot in command, 24 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Dusk
- Wind: 200° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,200 ft broken
- Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: CHA, 20 nm away

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.
