# NTSB ATL85LA188: Cessna 172N, N6201E, Monticello, GA, May 21, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 21, 1985, 06:00 local (10:00 UTC)
- Place: Monticello, GA
- Coordinates: 33.299201, -83.679946 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.2992&lon=-83.6799&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6811
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL85LA188
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6811/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL85LA188

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, cruise - normal
  - lubricating system - other (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - lubricating system - leak (cause)
  - fluid,oil - exhaustion (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, landing
  - light condition - dusk (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

ABOUT 20 MIN AFTER TAKEOFF, WHILE CRUISING AT 5000 FT, THE PLT OBSERVED OIL ON THE WINDSHIELD & NOTED A DECREASE IN OIL PRESSURE. HE TURNED BACK TOWARD THE DEPARTURE ARPT & REDUCED THE POWER IN AN ATTEMPT TO PROLONG ENG LIFE. A SHORT TIME LATER, THE ENG BEGAN RUNNING ROUGH, THEN FAILED. THE ACFT WAS OVER AN AREA OF GND FOG & THE PLT COULD NOT SEE THE GND. HE BEGAN GLIDING AT A MIN RATE OF DESCENT & TRIMMED THE ACFT. BEFORE ENTERING THE FOG, THE OCCUPANTS FASTENED THEIRSEAT BELTS & BRACED THEMSELVES FOR IMPACT. SHORTLY AFTER THE ACFT ENTERED THE FOG, IT HIT 6 TREES, THEN CRASHED IN A CLEARING. DURING A POST-CRASH EXAM, THE OIL DIP STICK WAS FOUND BEHIND THE ENG & THERE WAS INDICATIONS THAT OIL HAD ESCAPED FROM THE TOP OF THE ENG. THE #1 CONNECTING ROD HAD FAILED & PUNCTURED THE ENG CASE. A TEARDOWN OF THE ENG REVEALED EVIDENCE THAT THE ENG HAD BEEN OPERATING WITHOUT OIL PRIOR TO THE ROD FAILURE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6201E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6201E-2014-10-29), registration cancelled 2014-10-29, S/N 17271999, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172N
- Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17271999
- Airframe hours: 1530
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Roy C. Hall, doing business as Salem Aviation, Inc.
- Registered owner: Frank J. Davis, Jr.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 15, 1984, 260 hours before
- Departed: 9A1, COVINGTON, GA
- Destination: DAB, DAYTONA BEACH, FL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 590 total, 160 in this make and model, 590 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Lowest ceiling: 800 ft overcast
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19850521030419A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850521030419A), May 21, 1985: Cessna 172N, Monticello, GA, Destroyed. Struck trees and ground during emergency landing in the dark. Oil dipstick found in rear of engine compartment.

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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